asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will announce the results of his study into the possibility of more compulsory disclosure in the accounts of conglomerate companies.

I am considering, in consultation with the Panel on Take-overs and Mergers, the possibility of securing greater disclosure by parties to take-over bids. My right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State is proposing to seek in the legislation establishing the Commission for Industry and Manpower new powers to require disclosure by individual companies of financial information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the percentage growth, in dollar terms, in British exports between 1967 and 1968, and between 1968 and 1969; and what is his estimate of the percentage growth, in dollar terms, in world trade for the same periods.

United Kingdom exports of manufactures increased by 8 and 15 per cent. respectively; those of main manufacturing countries increased by 15 per cent. in 1968 and in the first three quarters of 1969, compared with the same period of 1968, by 17 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, following his recent meeting with the Committee on Invisible Exports, he will now adopt the committee's recommendation that in his monthly estimate of invisible earnings he should show net private earnings separated from Government transactions.

No. I think it better to underline in other ways, as the board has been doing, the splendid contribution which the various service trades and interests are making to the balance of payments.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of invisible exports in 1969; what estimate he has made of the value for 1970; and if he will take steps to improve the level of invisible exports.

Balance of payments estimates for the fourth quarter of 1969 will not become available until March; in the first three quarters of 1969 credits on the invisible account, seasonally adjusted, amounted to £3,025 million and there was a surplus of credits over debits of £436 million. I am confident that there will be a further large surplus in 1970. The Government already gives assistance in many ways to those who contribute to our invisible earnings. I am examining what further assistance should be given.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to publicise the contribution of invisible exports to the balance of payments.

More detailed information on invisibles is being published regularly in the Board of Trade Journal, and I and my colleagues also make frequent reference to invisible earnings in our speeches. The Committee of Invisible Exports is also doing a great deal to publicise achievements in this field.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what use the Board of Trade has made of the new method authorised by the Anti-Dumping Act 1968 for assessing the margin of dumping from state-trading countries; what use it has made of the new power given by that Act to impose provisional charges to duty; and how many applications for provisional charges have failed and why.

The new method of assessment was used in respect of imports of cheap alarm clocks from five of these countries, and appropriate action was taken. Provisional charges to anti-dumping duty have been imposed twice. There were three cases in which provisional action was applied for but not taken. In two cases, the applications for a definitive duty were subsequently withdrawn, and in the third case the application was rejected after full investigation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action the Board of Trade has taken to publicise to British industry the procedure for making anti-dumping applications.

After the enactment of the Amendment Act of 1968, the board produced a revised and extended leaflet for guidance of applicants. This has been widely distributed, and attention was drawn to it in a leading article published in the Board of Trade Journal on 23rd July, 1969, which was noted by the national press. Board of Trade officials are ready at any time to explain to interested inquirers the procedure for making an anti-dumping application.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in respect of which

During the past five years the following major British Weeks have been staged:

1965: Amsterdam and Milan,

1966: Hongkong and Lyons,

1967: Brussels and Toronto,

1968: Stockholm,

1969: Tokyo and Vienna.

Increased exports from the United Kingdom to the respective countries are shown in the following table:

UNITED KINGDOM EXPORTS
£ million
1969
January-
Country			1965	1966	1967	1968	December*
Netherlands	…	…	193·1	196·3	193·7	242·3	278·9
Italy …	…	…	108·9	128·0	140·3	160·3	191·0
Hong Kong	…	…	65·0	64·9	61·0	76·4	87·1
France	…	…	177·2	197·3	204·4	234·4	291·0
Belgium	…	…	169·2	180·8	177·6	233·9	280·8
Canada	…	…	200·6	215·3	213·5	259·1	300·6
Sweden	…	…	219·5	229·9	218·9	256·3	294·8
Japan	…	…	50·6	65·0	82·8	94·9	124·7
Austria	…	…	34·6	40·8	38·6	51·0	69·4
* Provisional.

More than a quarter of the total number of 115 formal applications received since 1957 have come from the chemical industry, which made 33 applications. Anti-dumping action was taken in 18 of its cases, nine were rejected and six were withdrawn by the applicants before the investigation was completed. The Government's willingness to act where a sufficient case is made out has probably had a deterrent effect on potential dumpers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent trade has increased between the United Kingdom and those countries where British Weeks have been promoted in recent years.

Major British Weeks have been held in nine countries in the last five years. With permission, I will circulate figures about our export trade with those countries over this period in the OFFICIAL REPORT.Following is the information:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of public concern over the activities of firms offering second mortgage facilities and of mortgage brokers, and that the credentials of many lenders, the content of advertisements, interest rates, charges and documentation involve malpractices; and whether he will introduce regulatory legislation without delay.

Yes. But codes of conduct are being drawn up by two bodies recently formed as well as by the Advertising Standards Association. I think it would be wise to await the outcome of this voluntary action, which I welcome, as well as the relevant recommendations of the Crowther Committee before deciding whether legislation is desirable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why it has been necessary to duplicate the office of Chief Information Officer in his Department; if the post is established; what is the salary; and whether the procedure laid down for the appointment of civil servants was followed before this appointment was made.

In view of the decision to increase the board's export promotion work, and of the part which information and publicity should play in such work, I decided to strengthen the Department's information division. The position will be reviewed in the light of experience. The additional post has been filled by an unestablished officer of the appropriate rank, previously employed in the Department of Economic Affairs; his contract, at a fixed salary of £5,325 per annum, has been transferred to the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quotas were issued to individual Eastern European countries for the last year in respect of plums, blackcurrants, raspberries and strawberries, respectively; and what proportion of each of these quotas was fulfilled by actual import.

Information on quotas is given in the table which I am, with permission, circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Information on imports is not available in this detail.Following is the information:

PLUMS, BLACKCURRANTS, RASPBERRIES AND STRAWBERRIES
Quotas for Imports from East European Countries 1969
BULGARIA
Fresh Fruit	200 tons
Of which not more than
Plums, blackcurrants, raspberries and strawberries	200 tons
Frozen Fruit	700 tons
Of which not more than
Plums	700 tons
Blackcurrants	100 tons
Raspberries	90 tons
Strawberries	90 tons
Fruit Pulp	2,180 tons
Of which not more than
Plum	680 tons
Blackcurrant	400 tons
Raspberry and strawberry	1,500 tons
Dried Fruit	£350,000
Of which not more than
Plums, blackcurrants, raspberries and strawberries	£350,000
Jams and Jellies	2,000 tons
Of which not more than
Plum	130 tons
Blackcurrant, raspberry and strawberry	770 tons
Juices and Syrups	£30,000
Of which not more than
Blackcurrant	£20,000
Canned and Bottled Fruit	£200,000
Of which not more than
Plums	£100,000
Blackcurrants	£10,000
Raspberries and strawberries	£10,000
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Fresh Fruit	£60,000
Of which not more than
Plums, blackcurrants, raspberries and strawberries	£60,000
Frozen Fruit	100 tons
Of which not more than
Plums	100 tons
Blackcurrants	30 tons
Raspberries	30 tons
Strawberries	30 tons
Dried Fruit	£10,000
Of which not more than
Plums, blackcurrants, raspberries and strawberries	£10,000
Jams and Jellies, Juices and Syrups	£10,000
Of which not more than
Plum, blackcurrant, raspberry and strawberry	£10,000
Canned and Bottled Fruit	£250,000
Of which not more than
Plums, blackcurrants, raspberries and strawberries	£250,000

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will amend the classification in the Overseas Trade Accounts of soft fruit imports so that imports of particular varieties and fruit can be compared with quota entitlements.

The trade classification for use in January, 1970, onwards provides some additional headings for soft fruit, but I do not think that I should be justified in requiring traders to elaborate the information they provide to the extent needed to make this detailed comparison.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will amend the classification in the Overseas Trade Accounts of soft fruit imports so that imports of fruit of a particular variety can be analysed into fresh, preserved or frozen.

With the introduction of the new trade classification, some further information on varieties will become available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied with the operation of the system of regulating horticultural trade with Eastern Europe by quotas; and if he will make a statement.

Quotas for those items subject to quantitative import restrictions are established by the Board of Trade, usually in annual discussions with the countries concerned and within limits agreed with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I see no reason to change this procedure.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the mechanism for establishment and review of import quotas of sensitive horticultural products subject to trade agreements with Eastern European countries.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to require companies to supply a copy of their balance sheets to his Department and the Companies Office within one month of their acceptance by an annual or extraordinary meeting.

When accounts are laid at an annual general meeting a copy must be sent to the Registrar of Companies within 42 days of the date of the meeting. When the time comes to prepare further companies legislation, I will consider the possibility of requiring either that accounts should always be laid at an annual general meeting, or that they should be filed within a stated period after the balance sheet date, irrespective of when they are laid.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of exports in coal mining machinery in 1969; and to what countries it was exported.

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Exports of coal cutters and parts in 1969 amounted to £1·9 million.Following is the information:

	£'000 Jan.-Dec., 1969
Coal cutters and parts
Total	1,933
of which
Australia	228
Canada	176
France	340
Spain	195
South Africa	223
United States of America	112

Other mining machinery*
Total	7,693
Australia	420
Canada	1,546
South Africa	825
Ghana	315
West Germany	289
Zambia	282
* Includes underground conveyors, stationary hauling engines, power loaders, power operated winders and other unspecified types of mining machinery, none of which can specifically be allocated to coal mining.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his proposals for repairs to, and the extension of, the runway at Aldergrove Airport.

I have nothing to add at present to the answer I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Antrim, South (Sir Knox Cunningham) on 19th January, 1970.—[Vol. 794, c. 75.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will commence negotiations for the purchase of land to add a further 1,000 feet to the runway at Aldergrove Airport, thus extending its length to 8,000 feet.

The main runway, which is 6,000 feet long, can be extended eastwards by 800 feet within the existing airport boundary. Negotiations are in progress for the purchase of additional land which would enable the runway to be extended by a further 1,500 feet as and when necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what requests he has received from representatives of the used car market in Scotland to relax hire purchase restrictions on such cars; and what replies he has sent.

None. The Scottish Motor Trades Association was, however, associated with the representations which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology received in October. I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's answer to a Question from the hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker) on 19th January.—[Vol. 794, c. 12–13.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make representations to the Government of the Netherlands in regard to the refund or revocation of traffic rights to British charter operators operating flights from the United Kingdom to the Netherlands under licences granted by the Air Transport Licensing Board.

The only refusal of operating permission of which I know was for a proposed series of one-day shopping charter flights from the Netherlands to this country. We took this up with the Netherlands aeronautical authorities, which pursue a generally liberal policy on charters. They do not, however, permit inclusive tour charters from the Netherlands of less than seven days' duration if scheduled services are available, and have not felt able to alter their policy in this case.

asked the President of the Boa rd of Trade which imports into the United Kingdom from South Africa can be obtained from no other source.

Very few, if any.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of the imports of fresh oranges from South Africa in 1969; and what were the comparable figures for 1968 and 1967.

The figures are given on page 18 of the Overseas Trade Accounts for December, 1968 and 1969, and they show that imports were £7,125,000 in 1967; £7,997,000 in 1968; and £6,676,000 in 1969.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what additional financial support he is prepared to give the Agricultural Export Council in view of its achievement over recent years, and its programme for export development into the 1970s; and whether he will make a statement.

I am considering a submission by the council for further support. The Board of Trade has provided grants of £20,000 in 1968–69 and £15,000 in 1969–70 and will provide £10,000 in 1970–71.

asked the President of the Board of Trade at what stage he expects that the submissions and evidence taken into account by the Roskill Commission in its selection of one coastal site for consideration as London's third airport will be published.

It is for the commission to decide what evidence should be published in advance of its final report. This report, which is expected in the latter part of this year, will cover all stages of the commission's work, including the initial site selection stage. The commission has already published a considerable amount of evidence taken during stages I and II of its work: evidence from stage III is now being published and will all be available by the end of this month.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation requiring all tonics sold to the public, other than on prescription, to carry the manufacturer's name and address on the carton or bottle.

Although we have powers to impose such a requirement, I think that the suggestion would be more appropriately considered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Security in the context of the Medicines Act, 1968.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to realign Export Credits Guarantee Department policies for Nigeria, now that the civil war has ended, to ensure that British goods and those sold through British houses are made available for reconstruction purposes.

The full range of E.C.G.D.'s facilities is already available for the provision of British goods and services to the whole of Nigeria, with the exception of the three Eastern States. Full cover will be resumed for these States as soon as normal business relationships are practicable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many successful take-over bids and mergers have been notified to his Department during the last 12 months the terms of which involved payments to the shareholders of the companies taken over of prices in excess of 41 per cent. taking the market price quoted immediately before the publication of the bid as the base price.

There is no obligation to notify take-over bids or mergers to the Board of Trade, and information of the kind for which my hon. Friend asks is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on congestion at London Airport.

As with other modes of transport, the facilities at Heathrow tend to be congested at peak periods but, given the continuing investment in facilities there, I have no reason to suppose that a serious problem exists for the time being. It is the task of the Commission on the Third London Airport to advise on the location and timing of additional capacity in the longer term.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what inquiries he has made into the representations made to him by Dr. John Axton of University College, Salisbury, that drugs needed to save life in Rhodesia have been unnecessarily delayed by his Department; and whether he will make a statement.

No representations have been made to me, and I have nothing to add to the reply given on 20th January to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall).—[Vol. 794, c. 108.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied with the present law relating to limited companies; and if he will make a statement.

I think there is room for improvement in the present law; but I do not expect to put forward legislation to amend it during the present Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the killing of vicunas is now a criminal offence in the countries in which this animal is still to be found, he will prohibit the importation of vicuna wool into the United Kingdom.

I am considering this matter carefully and hope to be in a position to announce a decision in the near future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the policy of the Israeli Government to extend trading relations with Great Britain, he will arrange to visit Israel during 1970 to discuss the possibilities of an increase in trade between Great Britain and Israel.

I have no plans at present for visiting Israel in 1970. Our trade with Israel has been expanding rapidly and our B.N.E.C. Committee for Israel, in co-operation with the embassy and the Board of Trade, has been most successful in its promotional efforts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what contribution the recent agricultural trade deal with Romania will make to the exports of British horticultural products and machinery.

In July, 1969 British firms secured orders worth over £22 million for the supply of irrigation machinery and equipment to Romania. The contracts do not provide for the export of British horticultural products.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to provide that all pre-packed goods be made up in standard British weights.

To extend in advance of metrication the existing requirements for goods to be packed in specified quantities would place an undue burden on industry without corresponding benefits to the consumer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) when he will make a compulsory marking order under Section 8 of the Trade Descriptions Act in respect of sheet measurement;(2) when he will make a compulsory marking order under Section 8 of the Trade Descriptions Act in respect of motor tyres;(3) when he will make a compulsory making order under Section 8 of the Trade Descriptions Act in respect of fire extinguishers;(4) when he will make a compulsory marking order under Section 8 of the Trade Descriptions Act in respect of the fibre composition of clothing.

Proposals for marking orders in respect of these goods were made last month by the Consumer Council, but will require a good deal of further study before I can announce decisions on them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what backing he gave to overseas investment projects by British industry in 1969; what was the total capital value involved; what estimate he has made of the value of British capital equipment exports resulting from this, and of the value guaranteed by the Export Credit Guarantee Department; and if he will give similar figures for the past three years.

Private direct investment overseas (excluding oil) was running in the first three quarters of 1969 at an annual rate of £505 million, a substantial increase on the figures for the three previous years. The other information asked for is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will now invite the directors of a company, whose name has been sent to him, to publish the details of the contribution to turnover and pre-tax profits of its metal, paper, plastic and machinery building activities, which have been omitted from its accounts for the year ended 31st March, 1969;(2) whether he will refer to the Director of Public Prosecutions the failure of the directors of the Metal Box Company to break down in its report the various classes of business in which it engages in contravention of Section 17 of the Companies Act, 1967.

Section 17 of the Companies Act, 1967, requires the directors of a company to state in their report the turnover and profit attributable to each of the classes of the business of the company and its subsidiaries which, in their opinion, differ substantially from each other. The directors of the Metal Box Company regarded the activities of the company and its subsidiaries as a single class of business and so did not give information under that Section in their report for the year which ended on 31st March, 1969.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has accepted the invitation of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Trade to visit Romania; when he expects to be able to make this visit; and whether he will make a statement.

I have accepted with pleasure an invitation to visit Romania from 9th to 11th March as a guest of the Romanian Minister of Foreign Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what changes have taken place in the chairmanship of the European Export Council; what programme for the development of this work is contemplated; and whether he will make a statement.

Sir Hector McNeil has completed his term as Chairman of the Export Council for Europe. Mr. G. V. K. Burton is acting as Chairman until the Viscount Caldecote assumes office in April. The council has a varied and imaginative programme of export promotion to assist British exports to Europe. The main item in 1970 is the trade drive "Britain in Finland, 1970".

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to his responsibility for films, he will take steps to obtain information which will enable him to state the position of film finance in past years and to forecast probabilities in the current year; and if he will make a statement giving the total amounts of investment and the proportions involved of private and public money and of money of British and foreign origin, respectively.

I do not consider that a special inquiry would be justified, but I would refer my hon. Friend to an article published in the Board of Trade Journal on 5th November, 1969 which shows that receipts in respect of production of films by the United Kingdom subsidiaries of the major United States Film companies were £22·8 million in 1967 and £31·3 million in 1968.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the inaccuracy of existing methods and indices of aircraft measurement, he will institute a comparative investigation of Noise and Number Index, I.C.N., and Level of Noise Pollution, with a view to adopting the most satisfactory measurement or of evolving a new measurement capable of producing an accurate measurement of noise nuisance which will take into account the degree of pollution and the number of persons suffering annoyance.

There are very many indices of aircraft noise exposure used or proposed for different purposes, and research continues in this country and abroad to improve the way disturbance to the public can be measured. The Noise and Number Index (N.N.I.), unlike many others, is firmly based on sociological investigations; and if further research shows the need to modify it, this will be done.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now detail the circumstances which led to the sending to members of the Ulster Special Constabulary of an unauthorised application form for the Ulster Defence Regiment by the staff officer of the Ulster Special Constabulary; what costs were involved; and from what Vote they were paid.

The circumstances were described by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and myself during the Second Reading of the Ulster Defence Regiment Bill. No expenditure was incurred on Ministry of Defence Votes either in the preparation or in the issue of these forms.—[Vol. 791, c. 1334–6 and 1446–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have now been taken to guard against unauthorised application forms for membership of the Ulster Defence Regiment being circulated.

Stocks of official application forms have been available since 1st January at post offices, public libraries and police stations, etc. Applications are being, and will be, considered on the basis of these, and these alone. It seems unlikely that anyone would find advantage in circulating unofficial forms at the same time.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he has made in restoring law and order in the Falls Road area of Belfast; and, in particular, what action he is taking to protect Mrs. Josephine O'Hara's newspaper stop on the Falls Road which has been broken into repeatedly.

On 14th January unaccompanied Royal Ulster Constabulary patrols re-entered the Falls Road area as part of the progressive restoration of normal policing in all parts of Northern Ireland. Both military and Royal Ulster Constabulary patrols pass the shop managed by Mrs. O'Hara by day and night. No requests for protection have been received by the security forces, but the matter being investigated on the spot and special measures will be taken if they are considered to be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the adequacy of stores and equipment provided for the Royal Marines training in Northern Norway.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Roebuck) on 22nd January, 1970, and to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Dame Joan Vickers) on 23rd January, 1970.—[Vol. 794, c. 182 and 202.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will publish a tabular statement of redundancies in the Fleet Air Arm during 1970–71, showing categories of officers and ratings by their specialist qualifications.

Redundancy has been divided into two phases, the first of which will be completed by the end of 1970. Numbers for the second phase from April, 1971, to March, 1973, have not yet been finalised. The bulk of these redundancies are expected in the latter part of the period; consequently few are likely during 1971. The 1970 figures comprise:

18 Air Engineer Officers.
802 Ratings comprising:
Aircraft Artificers	56
Aircraft Mechanicians	55
Naval Air Mechanics	332
Naval Airmen	104
Electrical Artificers (Air)	53
Electrical and Radio Mechanicians (Air)	102
Electrical and Radio Mechanics (Air)	100

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what use the barracks and airfields in Merioneth are to be put in the long-term defence plans of the Government.

On present plans Tonfanau Camp is expected to continue in use for several years; its rôle in the long term is under consideration. There are no plans to change the present use of the Army Outward Bound School at Towyn or the Ministry of Technology airfield at Llanbedr.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the effect of horticultural trade with Eastern Europe on the import-saving role of British horticulture.

Imports of the main competing horticultural items from Eastern Europe are at present regulated by quotas. In relation to imports generally it is the Government's policy to help the horticulture industry to improve its competitive efficiency so that home-grown produce will replace imports on its merits.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the recent increase in the retail price of cider was recommended for approval by the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

No. The Department received early warning notifications of price changes and accepted those which met the criteria for price increases. It was, therefore, not necessary to refer these to the board.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of the latest estimate he has made of the cost of agricultural support in the United Kingdom for 1969–70, together with comparable figures for the preceding year.

Following are the details of the latest estimates of the cost of agricultural support in the United Kingdom in the financial year 1969–70 in the form adopted in Appendix V of the 1969 Annual Review White Paper (Cmnd. 3965) together with comparable figures for the out-turn in the financial year 1968–69.

I. IMPLEMENTATION OF AGRICULTURAL PRICE GUARANTEES
£ million
	Latest Estimate of Outturn 1969–70		Actual Outturn 1968–69
Cereals:
Wheat and rye	17·2		17·7
Barley	35·4		29·5
Oats and mixed corn	9·6		10·7
		62·2		57·9
Potatoes		2·0		6·3
Eggs		13·0		16·2
Fatstock:
Cattle	25·2		19·3
Sheep	1·8		6·9
Pigs	19·8		14·3
		46·8		40·5
Wool		5·0		6·3
TOTAL I		129·0		127·2

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tons of Chinese frozen rabbit were imported last year and at what price; and whether he has now considered the effects of their imports upon the home producer of rabbits.

Six thousand two hundred and forty-five tons of rabbit meat valued at £1,462,947 were imported from China during the period 1st January to 30th November, 1969. Later figures are not available.The possibility of an application under the anti-dumping legislation is being discussed by representatives of home producers with the Board of Trade. The Department is keeping in close touch with the progress of the discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to lay before Parliament the Minimum Prices Schemes as proposed by the Scottish Committee of the White Fish Authority.

I cannot add at present to the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food gave to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Hull (Mr. McNamara) on 22nd January.—[Vol. 794, c. 187.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the original estimate submitted by Edinburgh Corporation of its requirements for school building for 1970–71 and 1971–72; and what are the final allocations by his Department for the same two periods, respectively.

Education authorities were not asked to submit estimates of their total school building requirements. Edinburgh education authority, however, proposed in October 1969 a programme totalling £1 million in 1970–71 and £2·2 million in 1971–72. Its allocation for the first part of the 1970–72 period is £1 million. Its allocation for the second part has not yet been determined.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the tenants of the new houses in the Point area, Isle of Lewis, are to be given occupation.

This is a matter for the county council, but I understand that the houses can be occupied when a new sewerage system is completed about a month hence.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of new voters eligible to be entered for the first time on the 1970 electoral register; and how many in fact were entered on the electoral lists published on 28th November, 1969.

It is estimated that in Scotland there were about 369,000 persons aged 21 or under at 10th October, 1969, who were eligible to register as voters for the first time. The statutory provisions governing the compilation of the electoral lists and register do not make it possible to identify new voters separately from other persons added to the lists, other than those in the age group referred to in the reply given to the hon. Member on 21st January.—[Vol. 794, c. 481.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many claims and objections were lodged regarding the electors' lists published on 28th November, 1969, and what was the number of claims and objections lodged regarding lists published in each of the past five years.

This information is not available and could not be obtained without disproportionate expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland by what percentage educational expenditure in Scotland increased between 1960 and 1965; and what is the equivalent figure for the period between 1965 and 1970.

Between 1960–61 and 1965–66 expenditure in Scotland on education (excluding universities and school meals and milk) increased by an average of around 9·9 per cent. per annum. Between 1965–66 and 1968–69, the last year for which figures are available on the same basis, the annual average rate of increase was around 11·6 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland by what date he now estimates that the M9 motorway from Edinburgh to Stirling will be completed.

This motorway is being built in sections. One is already open; two are being built; and construction of the remainder is being phased over the next six years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland by what date he now estimates that the M8 motorway between Glasgow and Port Glasgow will be completed.

The completion of work on modernising the trunk road between Glasgow and Port Glasgow involves two schemes. One is stage II of Bishopton Bypass, which will be a motorway. The other is the new West Ferry to Port Glasgow road which, as we have always intended, will be a dual carriageway road built to near-motorway standards. Work on both schemes should be completed in 1973.I cannot make a more precise forecast until the remaining statutory procedures have been concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has given to the Burgh of Stromness and Shetland County Council on the implementation of his directions for economy in the light of the increased costs consequent on the amalgamations of the water and police services by the direct order of the Government.

None: but I have given appropriate advice to water boards and joint police committees, which requisition for their expenditure on individual local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many students in North-East Scotland have completed City and Guilds Stage I classes in agriculture in each of the last three years but have subsequently been unable to start Stage II because classes are not available.

Not all students completing Stage I courses desire or are in a position to commence Stage II. No information is available for the reasons why students decided not to apply for entry to Stage II and accordingly it is not possible to give the number of those who so decided because of difficulties in attending classes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current shortage of nursing staff in each regional hospital board area.

Responsibility for nurse staffing rests with hospital authorities; there are no approved establishment figures, and vacancies are not therefore known centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number and type of hospital beds closed as a result of staff shortage in the area of the North East Regional Hospital Board; and in which hospitals these beds are situated.

Owing to a shortage of nursing staff 67 beds are closed at present, 35 at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and 32 at Woodend Hospital, Aberdeen. The types of beds affected are as follows:

	Aberdeen Royal Infirmary	Woodend Hospital
General Surgery	26	10
General Medicine	—	10
Ophthalmology	—	10
Gynaecology	—	2
Genito-Urinary Surgery	3	—
Private Patient Beds	6	—
	35	32

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the original date planned for opening the coronary care unit in Aberdeen; what is now the planned date; and if he will make a statement.

I understand from the North-Eastern Regional Hospital Board that building work will be completed by the end of this month, which is more than three months ahead of schedule. The provision of this unit is being financed from a private benefaction. The date of opening will depend on the time taken to equip it and the availability of staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now announce the membership of the Departmental Committee on Criminal Procedure in Scotland.

As I informed the House on 3rd December, the Lord Advocate and I are very pleased that Lord Thomson has accepted the chairmanship of this committee, the terms of reference and full membership of which will be as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he is giving to provide opportunities for science and mathematics teachers to continue their education and bring themselves up to date in their subject; and whether he will provide financial incentives to encourage teachers to improve their qualifications.

An extensive range of inservice courses is provided by colleges of education, universities and technical colleges to keep teachers abreast of curricular development and to improve their qualifications. Improved qualifications attract improved salaries under the Scottish Teachers Salaries Memorandum.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what he is doing to encourage the study of mathematics and science in sixth forms, with a view to increasing the stock of qualified people, from which teachers of these subjects may be drawn.

It is more important to encourage the study of mathematics and science at an earlier stage, and since the introduction of new syllabuses in these subjects, with which my Department has been closely concerned, there has been an encouraging increase in presentations for the ordinary and higher grade examinations of the S.C.E. Examination Board. The introduction of Certificate of Sixth Year Studies examinations in mathematics, chemistry and physics should encourage their study in the sixth year.Of the school leavers entering university courses in 1966 about 75 per cent. had passes in mathematics on the higher grade and about 65 per cent. had qualifications in two or more science subjects (including mathematics). I have no reason to believe that the current position is significantly different, and I do not think, therefore, that the shortages of teachers in these subjects are mainly attributable to a lack of qualified school leavers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what consideration he is giving to the recommendation of the Report of the Working Party appointed by the Royal Society and the Council of Engineering Institutions and the Council of Science and Technology Institutes, of which he has received a copy, that teacher training courses for graduates should be put on the same basis as other post-graduate courses in respect of maintenance grants;(2) whether he is satisfied with a situation whereby graduates who elect to be trained as teachers should be kept on undergraduate grants, including parental contributions, while those who take other post-graduate training get post-graduate maintenance grants, with no parental contributions; and if he will make a statement.

Graduates training as teachers are not at any disadvantage compared with graduates taking other similar courses of professional training. Under the Students' Alowances Scheme administered by my Department eligible graduate students taking such courses automatically receive awards at the same standard rates as undergraduates. Studentships at the higher rate are available only for advanced postgraduate study (e.g. for a higher degree) and are awarded on a limited and highly competitive basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what special arrangements he is making to enable persons from industry and Government establishments, including the services, to transfer to school teaching;(2) what machinery he is setting up to assist in safeguarding or transferring pension rights, and to provide adequate training grants during any retraining period of those who transfer from industry, Government establishments or the forces to the teaching of science and mathematics in schools.

The Special Recruitment Scheme provides financial assistance to enable persons from other employment to study for the qualifications necessary to become a teacher in Scotland. The scheme is advertised in the Press and on television. It is brought to the particular attention of Services personnel through resettlement literature. Those entering teaching above the age of 24 receive special salary placing.The National Superannuation and Social Insurance Bill at present before Parliament makes provision for safeguarding accrued occupational pension rights on changes of employment. Transfer of pension rights is already widely available in the public sector; and the possibility of transfers between private and public occupational schemes is being examined as part of the current reviews of the public service schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what special efforts he is making to increase the number of girls taking physics and mathematics at an advanced level.

The number of girls presented as school candidates for higher grade mathematics increased by 38 per cent. between 1967 and 1969. The corresponding increase in the number of girls taking at least one paper in physics on the higher grade was 14 per cent. However, in 1969 girl candidates represented only 32 per cent. and 18 per cent. respectively. The recent changes in the mathematics and physics syllabuses, with which my Department has been closely concerned, should lead to a continued increase in the numbers of both boys and girls taking these subjects.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what he is doing in areas of shortage of science and mathematics teachers to use facilities at local technical colleges for school pupils.

The use of these facilities is a matter for the education authorities. Generally, however, there are difficulties of time-tabling. The distance of the colleges from some schools is another difficulty.

asked the Minister of Technology what is his estimate of the annual import bill for timber in every form including pulp and paper at presentday prices on the basis that per capita consumption in the United Kingdom will rise to the same level as in France and the United States of America, respectively.

The pattern of consumption varies considerably between the three countries and it is impossible to say what proportion would be imported were United Kingdom consumption at a substantially different level Estimates cannot therefore be given.

asked the Minister of Technology for how many years ahead he calculates the cost of imports of timber in every form including pulp and paper; and whether he takes into account the change in prices due to the growing world shortage of available softwood as predicted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Estimates for the main categories of imports are made regularly in collaboration with the Board of Trade, for up to two years ahead. Account is taken of expected price changes.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will arrange to show registered commons, or at least the larger ones, on new editions of Ordnance Survey maps once the first objection period has ended, and registration for some commons has become final.

My right hon. Friend is considering what arrangements should be made for showing common land on Ordnance Survey maps after registrations become final, and he proposes to have further consultations with the interested bodies.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the number of dwellings started in the North-West in each of the years 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969 and his estimate for 1970, distinguishing between the public and private sectors.

The figures are:

PERMANENT DWELLINGS STARTED IN THE NORTH WEST ECONOMIC PLANNING REGION 1966–1969
Thousands
	Public Sector	Private Sector	Total
1966	22·9	23·5	46·5
1967	22·3	28·4	50·7
1968	23·0	25·6	48·5
1969	26·6	20·6	47·2

It is too early yet to estimate the starts for 1970, but my right hon. Friend hopes that local authorities will not relax their efforts in view of the present housing needs of the region.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the number of dwellings completed in the North-West in each of the years 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969 and his estimate for 1970, distinguishing between the public and private sectors.

The figures are:

PERMANENT DWELLINGS COMPLETED IN THE NORTH WEST ECONOMIC PLANNING REGION, 1966–1969
Thousands
	Public Sector	Private Sector	Total
1966	22·1	23·9	46·0
1967	20·9	24·6	45·5
1968	19·8	27·2	47·0
1969	21·2	22·1	43·3

On present indications it seems that the completions for 1970 should be of the same order as those for 1969.