asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many houses are currently subject to rent control legislation; and what proportion these represent of all private rented houses and of the total housing stock, respectively.

The number of tenancies in England and Wales at December, 1969, subject to rent control is estimated at rather more than 1,300,000. On the basis of provisional estimates, this is about 40 per cent. of the total of all privately rented tenancies and less than 8 per cent. of the total housing stock.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that rent control bears a major responsibility for the continuing scandal of inadequate housing?

Nonsense!

Can the hon. Gentleman say what proposals he has to break the stranglehold of rent control by facilitating an extension of the fair rent provisions?

All the evidence coming to my Department is that rent control is absolutely essential in the interests of large numbers of people who would otherwise be unable to afford decent accommodation.

Is my hon. Friend aware that when the Tories lifted rent control in 1957 things got a hell of a lot worse? Will he see to it that he does not do anything to lift controls?

My hon. Friend is quite right. The first thing that this Government did was to repeal the notorious Brooke Rent Act, and the Opposition did not vote against its repeal.

Is that figure of 1,300,000 the controlled rents compared with the fair rents, or does this include regulated rents? If not, would the Minister break the figure down? Would he like to hazard a guess as to the national total by which controlled rents fell below fair rents and consequently the amount by which we are losing out on repair and maintenance of our national stock of houses?

I would require a lot of time to answer all the points in the hon. Gentleman's question. I think there are 1,200,000 rent-regulated tenancies included in the numbers I have given the House.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the percentage difference in the cost of building council houses in the South-West and the South-East of England which is taken into account by his Department in assessing eligibility for subsidy; when this percentage difference calculated.

The South-West Region qualifies for a 6 per cent. addition to the yardsticks compared with 10 per cent. for the South- East Region. The regional variations, which were last changed in April, 1969, are based upon a comparative analysis of tender prices.

Is the Minister aware that this figure does not square with the experience of many local authorities, particularly in Cornwall, which are getting a subsidy of substantially less than 100 per cent. of the cost of supplying new council houses? This is having a catastrophic effect on the rents of new council houses, which very few potential tenants can afford.

I am not quite clear what the hon. Gentleman is saying. Is he suggesting that there is not a difference along the lines I have suggested between the South-West and the South-East? I think that he should check his facts a little more carefully before pursuing this point. On the general level of cost, the yardsticks are the subject of review at the present time.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the average rate of interest, after the payment of the Government subsidy, paid by all local authorities in England and Wales on money borrowed for council housebuilding in 1969.

Under the Housing Subsidies Act 1967 the average rate of interest on council house building in 1969 was, in effect, 4 per cent. Additional subsidies for high building and expensive sites were also paid in many cases.

I thank the Minister for his reply. In view of the extremely high interest rates, does he realise that many councils are having to pay rates substantially higher than 4 per cent?

I am afraid the hon. Gentleman has, again, not checked his facts correctly. I said, in effect, that all new house building in 1969 was held at a level of 4 per cent. by way of the subsidy system which we are now operating.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to approve the sewerage scheme recently submitted by the Biggles-wade Rural District Council in Mid-Bedfordshire.

An engineering inspector is to visit the area on 10th March to investigate the council's scheme for Arlesey, Stotfold and neighbouring parishes, and I shall give my decision as soon as possible after I receive the report. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the decision letter.

Is the Minister aware that this is at least some cause for welcome in the area? The pollution of this part of the River Ouse is now giving cause for serious concern because of the delay with these essential schemes, and will he try to hurry up the decision?

Pollution is a matter of great concern, but I hope the hon. Gentleman appreciates that, although we have been in discussion with the council for some considerable time, we had the last piece of information from it only on 9th February, and the fixing of the meeting with the inspector has taken place as quickly as possible after that.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement on the results achieved by Circular 79 of 1967 advising local authorities on the shortcomings of open tendering.

There has been a marked reduction in open competitive tendering since selective tendering was commended to authorities in 1964, and this has continued since the issue of Circular 79/67. By the second quarter of 1969 the proportion of dwellings covered by schemes placed in open competition was only 12·7 per cent.

Will my hon. Friend say how many local authorities are inhibited by their standing orders from undertaking tenders not in open competition?

That information is not available to me, but I hope that the influence of the circular will continue and that the local authorities which are not operating this policy will increasingly switch over to what we have commended to them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will publish statistics on the relative cost-effectiveness of the local authorities in building council houses.

Complete information on relative cost-effectiveness as between local housing authorities is not available. But local authorities can get some measure of their performance by comparing their tender prices with the regional housing cost yardsticks.

Will my hon. Friend's Department do something about the particularly expensive house building by local authorities?

One difficulty relates to the time span experienced by local authorities in getting major contracts completed, as many of the schemes are much larger than those undertaken by firms constructing houses for owner-occupation. Our regional officers are pursuing this matter regularly with local authorities. If my hon. Friend has particular cases which he would like to put to us, we shall be glad to investigate them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT for each of the last 10 years the monthly repayments required for an 80 per cent. mortgage taken out for an average-priced new house in each year, allowing for changes in mortgage interest rates during this period.

I will, with permission, list the table of figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I am grateful to the Minister, but is not it a fact that a man who is earning an average industrial wage cannot qualify for such a building society mortgage because of record high prices and interest rates?

I am afraid the hon. Gentleman is wrong on this score. Although I am unable to quote exact figures, there has been a considerable increase in the rate of owner-occupation in recent years.

Will the Minister publish, with those figures, comparative figures for European countries? Will not those figures show that the relative interest rates in Great Britain compared with other countries have been lower under the Labour Government than under Tory Governments?

That is perfectly correct. Whatever difficulties we are experiencing here, and there are undoubted difficulties, the figures extant in this country compare favourably, to a degree, with those in other countries. What is more, the rate of reduction in the house-building programmes in other countries has been much greater than in this country during the past year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many council houses have been sold in each of the past three years.

The numbers of council houses sold in the past three years are as follows:

How does the Minister equate the restriction on council house sales with the Government's avowed intention of giving more responsibility to local authorities?

This is a matter which involves national policies, and we have throughout made it quite clear that the discretion we want local authorities to operate must be subject to over-riding national considerations. We have the very strongest policy objections, as a Government, to paying out subsidy on houses which will then be disposed of.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that many of his hon. Friends feel that the figures which he has given are far too high, especially in relation to the sale of council houses in areas of great housing need such as Liverpool and Birmingham? Should not the Government act vigorously to ensure that there should be no sale of council houses in areas where there is a great need for houses?

The figures are certainly higher than I would want. On the other hand, there are cases where it is justifiable on pure management grounds for there to be a disposal of council houses. It would be quite wrong to place on the Department the too heavy administrative burden which would be placed upon it if we took the powers asked for by my hon. Friend. But I am sympathetic to his point of view.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement about the progress of the review of housing finance that his Department is undertaking.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will announce the result of his Departmental inquiries into housing finance.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement on the progress of his current review of housing finance.

The comprehensive review of housing finance has reached an advanced stage, but it will be some time before it is completed.

Before completion of the review, will the Minister make a statement about local authorities such as Birmingham which, on houses built in 1967 and 1968, rather than being subsidised down to 4 per cent. rate of interest, are now paying more than 6 per cent. rate of interest?

If the hon. Gentlemen's facts are right, this is no doubt a matter which can be pursued in one of our numerous debates on this subject. I think it will be better to see what the review of housing finance says before I anticipate what action I am likely to take in the light of that review.

Will the review give special consideration to local authorities which have a large number of loans to convert, which will inevitably involve them in heavy financial burdens?

This is a very great problem, and I think that the review will deal with it adequately.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many rent schemes proposed by local authorities were rejected by him between July 1968 and December 1969; and how many of these schemes that were rejected contained proposals involving an average rent increase of less than 7s. 6d. per week.

My right hon. Friend rejected 229 proposals for rent increases, 205 of which involved average increases of less than 7s. 6d. a week.

Will the Minister tell us, first, whether any of these applications came from the City of Liverpool and, secondly, why he considers it necessary to interfere in the attempts of democratically-elected local authorities to balance their housing accounts?

None of the rejected applications involved the City of Liverpool. It is quite clear from the debate on the Rent (Control of Increases) Bill that it is still necessary to stop some local authorities which do not need to make rent increases from doing so.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in Hull the Tory council is putting up the rents of old-age pensioners from 25s. to nearly £4 for a single. bedroomed house? Is he able to do anything about that?

If the circumstances are as my hon. Friend suggests, an application would certainly have to come before my right hon. Friend, and it would be unlikely to be acceptable.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when an announcement will be made on the outcome of the public inquiry into Birmingham's overspill proposals.

The proposals of the Birmingham City Council were called in by my right hon. Friend on 11th February 1969, and the public local inquiry into nearly 600 objections was completed in November. My right hon. Friend expects to receive the inspector's report in April. Whilst he fully appreciates the need for an early decision on these important proposals, it is equally important that they should receive the detailed consideration they deserve.

I thank the Minister for his reply. Is he aware of the anxiety of many of my constituents in North Worcestershire about these proposals? I hope that a decision will be reached fairly soon.

We shall certainly bear all that in mind, but the hon. Gentleman would want us to reach the right decision and have time to do so.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a further statement on the house-building programme for 1970.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is his revised estimate of the number of new dwellings to be built during 1970.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a further statement on the 1970 house-building programme.

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave on 3rd February to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) and the hon. Members for Worcester (Mr. Peter Walker) and Harborough (Mr. Farr)—[Vol. 795, c. 200–2.]

Is there any truth in the reports that the Government are about to introduce a 100 per cent. mortgage scheme as advocated by this side of the House for the last three years?

Local authorities for a long time have had the power to introduce 100 per cent. mortgages, and the Housing Act 1967 further helped them in that direction.

Are the Government now considering restoring the full £195 million a year loans to local authorities to grant mortgages? Surely they could be afforded now, since they are Government loans, not grants?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for his tribute to Government progress in restoring the economy of the country. However, we ought to wait a little longer before making any announcement about the extension of a new loans scheme, although I would like to do so.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement about the decline in the number of approvals recently given for local authority housing.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is satisfied with the number of new houses started during January 1970; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is concerned over the decline in the level of local authority housing contracts and starts. I am visiting 20 or more priority area authorities to press for increased building, slum clearance and general improvement area programmes.

What increases in the cost of local authority land for housing have occurred over the last two years?

I could not give the figure offhand, but there has been considerable help by Government to local authorities which have to buy land at high cost by way of expensive site sub-stales. Therefore, there is no reason why local authorities which are having to pay market prices for land should hold back on house building. They are being assisted to a greater level than ever before by Government subsidy.

Could my hon. Friend say whether he has had any success in persuading Conservative-controlled local authorities to ignore the advice given to them by the hon. Member for Worcester (Mr. Peter Walker) to the effect that they ought not to build council houses for all sorts of seemingly good purposes? In particular, will he see whether he can bring the Conservative-controlled Borough of Harrow to a better understanding of its responsibilities? Is he aware that the council put out no tenders for house building in 1969?

I am aware that the Harrow Council did not put out any tenders during 1969. So far I regret to say it has refused to meet me to discuss the housing situation in Harrow. I regret to say that there are still far too many councils among those I have visited, as well as others, which are unnecessarily and quite wrongly cutting back on their house building programme no doubt encouraged by spokesmen, and indeed leading spokesmen, on the other side of the House.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the misquotation that both he and the Prime Minister have used I made it perfectly clear that we want many more council houses built for good social purposes? But what we also want is that existing tenants of council houses should be allowed to buy them.

The hon. Gentleman cannot wriggle out of this one. He has stated on a number of occasions—[Interruption.]

Quote me.

I will—that there should be a curb on council house building, and I am quoting. The hon. Gentleman and other Members on the other side of the House have been busy in this place and in other places seeking to discourage local authorities from building houses. They cannot have it both ways. Are we to have from them a call for a reduction by half in council house building, as was our experience under the Conservative Government, at the same time as they were calling for an increased slum clearance programme?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement about the progress he has made in his consideration of the memorandum submitted to him by the Chartered Land Societies on the question of the provision of compensation in planning and development cases.

I refer the hon. Member to what I said during the debate on the Second Reading of the Planning Blight and Worsenment Bill on Friday, 27th February.

While the modest steps announced on Friday are welcome, will the hon. Gentleman remember the many thousands of individuals who are suffering mental anxiety and financial hardship because of compensation problems? Will he pursue this matter with high priority so that the Government may make an announcement about further steps in weeks rather than months?

I do not think I can add anything only four days after a major whole-day debate on this matter in the House in which I was told by the Opposition that I took too long in stating the Government's policy.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is his latest estimate of the number of surplus houses which will be available by 1973.

The overall numerical surplus of houses over households in 1973 is still expected to be of the order of 1 million, but I cannot stress too emphatically that this surplus will not be evenly spread throughout the country and that shortages and bad housing, as I have repeatedly said, will persist in some areas.

Is there any connection between the answer the Minister has just given and the fact that he has declinied to accept from me a Question about the number of homeless families? Is he washing his hands of the plight of homeless families by saying that it is the responsibility of another Department?

That is a most unworthy remark. The Question was transferred because in the terms in which it was drafted it was considered to be more appropriately a matter within the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the fact that the Conservative Party in Liverpool says that there will be a surplus of council houses by 1972, but that at the same time the Conservative Party, both in Liverpool and in the country as a whole, is saying that the Government's housing policy has failed? Would my right hon. Friend take into consideration the fact that we could not possibly have a surplus by 1972, and that the Conservatives are using this as an excuse not to go ahead with a proper building programme of council houses in an area like Liverpool which badly needs them?

Certainly in conurbations like Merseyside shortage and bad housing will continue for some time to come, even though slum clearance is being carried out. One can only deduce from the fact that so many Conservative authorities are stopping their housing programmes that they regard the problem in their areas as already solved.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will introduce legislation to prevent the sale by local authorities of publicly-owned land purchased for council housing to private developers; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend's consent is already required if the land was purchased compulsorily and not subsequently appropriated or is being offered for sale at less than market value. Local authorities wishing to sell lend should act in accordance with circulars 48 of 1959 and 57 of 1966, and, in particular, they must satisfy themselves that the land is, in fact, surplus to requirements. Apart from these considerations, decisions to put forward proposals for land acquisition or disposal must be taken by a local authority having regard to local needs. It would not be appropriate for such decisions to be subject to further Government scrutiny.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a particular plot of land in my constituency was bought out of revenue by a Labour council and that a Tory Government refused to give permission to this far-seeing measure designed to meet housing needs in that city? Is it not a deplorable state of affairs that the Tory council is now cutting down on the building of houses needed for slum clearance?

I am not aware of that, and if the facts are as stated I would have a great deal of sympathy. It is a matter that should be decided at the polls.

But would the hon. Gentleman turn the coin on the other side and deprecate local authorities which remain gorged with unwanted land that they hang on to indefinitely?

There is very little evidence that that is occurring in our great conurbations where there are tremendous housing needs.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what guidance his Department gave to the Kingston-upon-Hull Corporation in introducing its proposed rents rebate scheme.

The corporation, along with other local authorities, was given general advice in Circular 46/67, which set out the principles on which sound rent rebate schemes might be based.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this new rent rebate scheme introduced by a Tory council is associated with one of the most vicious increases in rents introduced by any Tory council in the country? It will have a terrible effect on the low-wage-earning community and its effects will also be felt in industrial relations and wage demands. Will my hon. Friend look at cases of housing being subject to reletting?

If it is as vicious as my hon. Friend says, it will have to come to us for approval and it would be wrong for me to say anything about the matter now. But I emphasise, as I said on the previous Question, that all these undesirable trends should be dealt with at the local elections and should be clearly stated by my hon. Friends in Hull.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has now received proposals from the Greater London Council for the allocation of public parks between the Greater London Council and the London borough councils.

Yes, Sir. A scheme was submitted by the Greater London Council last October, and I am now considering it.

Would my right hon Friend bear in mind during his considerations that there is no general desire on the part of inhabitants of London to have their public parks mucked around with by the Greater London Council, and also that employees' negotiating machinery and excellent training schemes should be maintained for the future.

I have received many representations from a wide-based section of the population, including sports organisations, trade unions and other bodies representing workers involved in this matter. I think that my hon. Friend will realise that until I have had discussions with the G.L.C. and the London boroughs it is difficult to make any pronouncement.

Can the Minister indicate how long he expects the consultations to take and when he anticipates being able to make an announcement?

This is a complicated problem, and we have not yet started discussions. But I realise the need for as rapid a decision as is consistent with the proper handling of it in order to remove the uncertainty which is hanging over the people employed.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress has been made with the registration of land under the Commons Registration Act 1965.

On 2nd January, 1970, when the period for applications expired, over 13,700 areas in England and Wales had been registered as common or green and there were over 2,100 outstanding applications for registration of land. Some authorities need further time to deal with the outstanding applications. My right hon. Friend and his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales accordingly propose to make regulations extending until 31st July, 1970, the period within which registrations may be made.

Will my hon. Friend tell the House what percentage of the total known area of common land these figures represent? If there is a considerable percentage left where no application has been made, will it not be a serious matter and should not some attempt be made to extend the advertising about it?

It is impossible to give the percentage. We are confident that in the additional time now being allowed all the registrations that we or the authorities have under consideration can be effectively made.

Does the Minister agree that it is a complicated matter and that there are many people who should register property who do not understand the procedures? During the extended period, on which I congratulate him, will he do his utmost to make certain that the regulations and the procedures are understood by those who should register, as they are not understood in a large part of the rural area?

I am obliged to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, West (Mr. Scott-Hopkins) and to my hon. Friend for drawing this matter to our attention. I will have it examined and take action, if necessary.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now make a statement on the Government's policy towards the studies in conservation of the four towns, particularly Lord Esher's report on York.

The conservation reports on York, Bath, Chichester and Chester have been studied by the Preservation Policy Group, under the chairmanship of my noble Friend Lord Kennet. The group is now preparing its report. I hope to make a statement shortly.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that one of the most effective ways of celebrating Conservation Year would be to make a small amount available to each of these four cities as a trial experiment in the conservation of historic centres? Will he confer with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning and also with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to see that the announcement, when it is made, is highly favourable?

My hon. Friend will realise that I share his close personal interest in York. I do not think that these problems could be in better hands than those of the Preservation Policy Group. I have no doubt that my noble Friend, Lord Kennet, and his colleagues will have in mind the various financial considerations to which my hon. Friend draws attention.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress has been made recently in setting up machinery for dealing with coastal pollution by oil; and if he will make a statement.

As was said on 18th November in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Mr. Booth), there is now a series of interlocking schemes of organisation round the coast to deal with beach pollution. Some local authorities have been reviewing their schemes in the light of detailed suggestions we sent to them last August. Another recent development is an arrangement by which oil companies can take the lead in dealing with pollution arising from a spillage of their products.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he agrees that the destruction of one of our most precious resources —the coastline—and the effect that oil pollution is having on plants and animal habitats should be dealt with most stringently? While welcoming also what he said about local authorities, may I ask whether he thinks that much tougher steps should be taken to prevent the discharge of oil into the sea in the first place?

I think that my hon. Friend will agree that one of the most important things is to have the right machinery for dealing with oil pollution when it occurs. There has been a substantial improvement over the last year. However, I agree about the importance of this matter, and I hope that hon. Members will study the report published a day or two ago by the Countryside Commission on the need for protecting the coastline.

Will the Minister tell us whatever happened to the interesting suggestion made by the hon. Member for Southend, East about a reward of £1,000 being offered for information leading to the discovery of those who are guilty of dumping oil in coastal waters, which was promised careful consideration?

If the hon. Gentleman will send me the £1,000 I will be responsible for the advertisement.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to receive the report of the Committee on Sewage Disposal.

I understand that the working party is considering a draft for signature, and I hope to receive its report in a few weeks' time.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if the report does not deal with the specific problem of London sewage disposal, it will cause grave anxiety? Is he further aware that the Conservative-controlled Greater London Council has plans in my constituency to deposit sewage sludge on open land within 300 yards of the Thamesmead housing development? This is quite outrageous. Will my right hon. Friend do something about it?

I should certainly be surprised if the report did not deal with the subject of pollution of the River Thames.

I should like to pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Holborn and St. Pancras, South (Mrs. Lena Jeger), who has been chairing this working party, which has worked extremely quickly and thoroughly. I believe that the report will be most valuable and will, I think please my hon. Friend.

Even before receiving the report, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to consider withdrawing Circular 64/68, which has done so much to inhibit anti-pollution measures in rivers?

I could not possibly do that at this stage. It is wiser to wait for the report. Various considerations are involved. It would be unwise now to give the assurance for which the hon. Gentleman asks.

asked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning what progress is being made towards setting up a national body to co-ordinate efforts to control pollution of the environment.

asked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning if he will now announce the names of the Chairman and members of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning when he hopes to complete his negotiations for setting up a national body to co-ordinate efforts to control pollution of the environment.

As far as outside advice is concerned, I would refer my hon. Friends to the Prime Minister's announcement on 17th February of the membership of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. The commission held its first meeting on 25th February. As far as co-ordination by the Government is concerned, good progress is being made with the creation of a central unit responsible directly to me.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that by the time that the Royal Commission reports, let alone by the time that any recommendations that it makes may be enacted, thousands of tons of pollution will have been deposited on the country? Can we be assured that there will be quick action on this?

Certainly we shall not wait for the Royal Commission to report before taking action. Action is going on continuously, as evidenced by the recent developments in terms of oil pollution, pesticides, organochlorines, and so on. My hon. Friend need have no fear that all action will await a report of the Royal Commission.

s: Will my right hon. Friend accept that the people appointed to serve on the Royal Commission are most distinguished but that if we are to find a solution to most pollution problems it will be found in engineering? In view of that, will he have another look at the composition of the Royal Commission with a view to appointing two further members from the ranks of our most eminent engineers?

My hon. Friend has made a most interesting and important suggestion. I will take it into account very carefully when I come to consider either additions to or changes in the membership of the commission.

Is it not a fact that we are the first modern State to attempt a co-ordinated attack on the problem and that, therefore, the Government are to be congratulated on their initiative? As for the Royal Commission, is there not a case for having at least someone under 40 on it, and certainly a woman?

I considered with the greatest possible care the question of a young man, possibly like my hon. Friend, the question of a woman, the question of an additional Welshman, the question of a Co-operator, and all the questions which are familiar to any Minister who has to appoint a commission. At the end of the day, I think that we have an extremely good commission.

My hon. Friend is right in saying that this is almost the first country, despite all the excellent, but piecemeal and fragmented work which has gone on, which has set up machinery to enable it to take an overall co-ordinated view.

The Minister will be aware that the United States appointed such central machinery some time ago. Can he say how many scientific advisers, male or female, he has appointed so far to his Central Anti-Pollution Unit?

The Central Anti Pollution Unit is now in course of being built up. I would not like to give a figure at this moment as people are being taken on continuously.

As for the United States, I must make it clear that, whatever the machinery, this country has been far in advance of the United States in almost every antipollution activity.

asked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning if, in view of the effect of air pollution on weather and climate, he will arrange for the Meteorological Office to publish the results of its research into this matter to date; and if he will ensure that it is laid before the Royal Commission on Environment.

Yes, Sir. The results of current research by the Meteorological Office on these matters will be published in the normal way and will be available to the Royal Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning whether the Northern Economic Planning Council has now received a reply from the Sunderland County Borough Council to the council's letter of 10th December, 1969; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir, and there are to be detailed discussions between the planning council and the county borough council of joint action to stimulate local interest in industrial training.

While I welcome the progress being made, can my hon. Friend say whether a date has been fixed for an exhibition and whether he has taken any steps to encourage the co-operation of industrialists and trade unionists in this way?

There is no date yet fixed. I can assure my right hon. Friend that the helpful suggestion which he made on 3rd February concerning the participation of employers and trade unionists will be taken into account by the officials arranging these discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning if he will strengthen the regional economic planning councils to enable them to prepare more comprehensive development plans for their regions.

As the White Paper on Local Government Reform in England made clear, I want to enable the economic planning councils, in co-operation with local government, now to carry their work forward towards the development of firmer regional plans, and I have already started discussions to this end. I do not think that it would be practicable or desirable to change the basic composition of the councils at the present time.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that there is a real need for more staff to get on with the detailed work which it is necessary to have more than the perhaps valuable outline plans that we have had so far?

I agree with the basic objective, which is one of great urgency. I have already discussed it with the chairmen of all the councils, and I propose now to discuss it with the local authority associations to try to advance the matter rapidly.

Is the Minister aware that the Northern Economic Planning Council is in difficulty at the moment because it does not have a chairman? Is he taking any action to appoint a new chairman to the council?

I have asked the deputy chairman of the Northern Economic Planning Council to act as chairman, and I know that he will prove to be an extremely effective chairman during this period.

asked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning whether he will publish the evidence which has led him to allocate responsibility for primary and secondary education to the upper-tier metropolitan authorities.

The Government took this decision on their own judgment of the merits, after weighing all the relevant arguments. The decision has been widely welcomed in the education world.

I am sure that my right hon. Friend will agree that it has not been universally welcomed and that the metropolitan districts which are now to lose this all-important function, contrary to the intentions of Seebohm and Maud, in many cases are larger than some States represented at the United Nations. If he presses ahead with his proposal, may I inform him that many of us in Wirral may be tempted to declare U.D.I.?

That is a declaration which will gravely alarm both sides of the House. But, as to the substance as opposed to the sinister threats in my hon. Friend's question, I agree that it has not been universally welcomed. I chose my words carefully in saying that it had been widely welcomed in the education world—by the N.U.T., for instance. I think it is fair to say that it has been welcomed by most hon. Members in this House who have an interest in education matters. As for my hon. Friend's point about the implications for the size of the metropolitan districts, his next Question has a bearing on that.

asked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning whether, in the light of his decision to make education the responsibility of metropolitan regional authorities, he will agree to divide the proposed South Merseyside Metropolitan District into two separate units.

I can assure my hon. Friend that, unless U.D.I. is declared by this time, our consultations with local authorities on metropolitan districts will cover the pattern as well as detailed boundaries. I shall not reach a final conclusion on South Merseyside until these consultations are complete.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for the flexibility which he clearly envisages, will he recall that Mr. Senior has referred specifically to this area as one now meriting division? This is an urgent matter, in view of the need to know the future structure in the light of the implementation of the Seebohm Report.

Yes, Sir. But when we discuss metropolitan districts we have to remember that, even though they will not now be education authorities, they will remain housing authorities and social services authorities. They must be of a size to carry out those functions effectively. Nevertheless, I do not rule out what my hon. Friend suggests in advance of the consultations.

asked the Prime Minister what plans he now has for future meetings with Heads of Commonwealth Governments.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General announced last Saturday that the next Meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government would be held in Singapore in January, 1971.

While greatly welcoming the news and also wishing the conference every success, may I ask the Prime Minister to emphasise at that meeting that Britain would deplore any steps which would weaken the threads which bind the Commonwealth together, particularly in our negotiations to get into the Common Market and also in our defence responsibilities with the Commonwealth?

I have no doubt that the Common Market will be fully discussed, as indeed has happened on past occasions.

Concerning defence policies, there has been a productive Commonwealth conference since the Government's decision on east of Suez, and I cannot recall very much in the way of any Commonwealth view against the Government's policy.

Surely my right hon. Friend will agree that, so far as our information enables us to judge, some of the Commonwealth countries are bound to be at a disadvantage if we decide to enter the Common Market. Will my right hon. Friend let us have another White Paper on that subject?

My right hon. Friend will recall that these matters were raised and dealt with in the debate on the Common Market last week. He will also be aware of what we have said about vital Commonwealth interests in the White Paper governing the basis on which we shall approach these negotiations.

My right hon. Friend will further be aware that some Commonwealth countries in both East and West Africa have been making their own association with the Common Market in terms which have meant reverse preferences for Britain.

Will the Prime Minister seriously consider extending an invitation to representatives of Wales and Scotland to attend the next Commonwealth Conference in readiness for the day when those nations will be among the free and equal nations of the Commonwealth?

The Government of the United Kingdom will provide better representation for Wales and Scotland than the hon. Gentleman and his party.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make an official visit to Denmark.

I have no plans to do so at present, Sir.

Has my right hon. Friend had any contact with the Prime Minister of Denmark on the issue of sea fishing of the Atlantic salmon, on which some of us have had harsh words to say about friends? If he has, may I ask whether any replies have been sent?

Yes, Sir. As has already appeared in the Press here and in Denmark, I have sent a personal message on the subject raised by my hon. Friend to the Danish Prime Minister, to the Swedish Prime Minister, and to the Federal German Chancellor. We have also had regular consultations with Denmark, Sweden and Germany at official level. I have just had a reply from the Danish Prime Minister, which I am considering. I believe that it will be possible to work something out.

As the large majority of the members of the North Atlantic Fisheries Commission have agreed to a ban, will the Government pursue this firmly with Denmark and also at every opportunity take it up with West Germany, because both these countries do not have salmon rivers?

This point has been made by me to the three Prime Ministers concerned. I am hoping for further discussions with the Danish Prime Minister to see whether a solution can be reached. The hon. Gentleman will be aware, because of his reference to the other countries, that Iceland supports us in this matter. The matter will be pursued vigorously with all the Governments concerned.

asked the Prime Minister what communication he has received from President Nixon regarding the effect of sanctions against Rhodesia on United States imports of chrome; and what reply he has sent.

None, Sir.

Has it not been brought to the right hon. Gentleman's attention that the United States does not see why it should go on importing this strategic material either from the U.S.S.R. or from Rhodesia through third countries?

The hon. Gentleman may or may not be a spokesman for the United States, but my dealings are with President Nixon. As I said in answer to his Question, President Nixon did not draw this to my attention, whatever the hon. Gentleman wants to do on behalf of President Nixon's country.

Will my right hon. Friend give the Africans of Zimbabwe, for whom he is still responsible, an assurance that Smith and his cronies will be held personally responsible, during the liberation struggle which will continue, until it is successful, for the deaths of any freedom-fighters after capture?

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend said on the situation following the purported establishment of a republic in Rhodesia.

Reverting to the Question, may we hope that the American Government, as a permanent member of the Security Council, will take the view that principles do not decrease in value because they are expensive? Would he agree that, if Lord Salisbury can remove official support from the illegal régime, anybody can?

I should be very surprised if the United States Government, as loyal members of the United Nations, flew in the face of a United Nations resolution of this kind. I note what has been said about the noble Lord, Lord Salisbury, but, obviously, his example is not being universally followed in this House, and we are still waiting for a condemnation from the Opposition Front Bench of what has happened. —[Interruption.]

Question No. 4.

Wake up.

It is not this Front Bench who need to be woken up. I would say to hon. Gentlemen—

A disgraceful performance by the Leader of the Opposition. He has not got the guts of Salisbury. And that is not saying much.

Order. The hon. Member for Smethwick (Mr. Faulds) must not advertise the fact every time that he is here.

On a point of order. With respect, Mr. Speaker, my hon. Friend was trying to advertise the fact that the Leader of the Opposition is here, and that he is failing in his duty.

asked the Prime Minister what discussions he had recently in Washington about the Nuclear Planning Group in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

I have nothing to add to the reports already given to the House on my visit to Washington. Both Governments are in full agreement on the valuable rôle in the Alliance played by the Nuclear Planning Group.

What nuclear weapons have we now which are not assigned to N.A.T.O.?

I have nothing to add to my Answer last week on this Question, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence will no doubt take an opportunity, if not more than one, in the defence debate planned for this week to deal with certain misrepresentations that occurred.

If N.A.T.O. were the first to use an atom bomb, would it not be likely to prove a suicide weapon? Is it not likely that the Russians, instead of being deterred, would retaliate similarly, or even escalate to the use of hydrogen bombs?

My hon. Friend will recognise that that is an entirely hypothetical question. He will know that these matters are dealt with in the Defence White Paper which the House will be debating for two days this week, and that my right hon. Friend is perfectly competent to deal with the kinds of anxiety which are in my hon. Friend's mind.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to the Humberside area during the present Session of Parliament.

I hope to do so again, Sir.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that helpful and welcome answer, but would he also bear in mind, in remembering the affection shown him last week by his Liverpool and Bootle colleagues, that he is always welcome in Hull? But would he note that our unemployment is a little above that of Liverpool? Would he especially look at our difficulties in this respect when he does come?

I have to interpret Humberside not only as Hull but also as South Humberside, which I visited recently. It is because of anxieties expressed by my hon. Friend and by other hon. Members for these constituencies and our own studies of the matter that we have scheduled this area as an intermediate area. The Act under which this was done came into force only a few days ago. My hon. Friend will also know of the various recommendations in the Humberside Report which have been accepted by the Government and have been put into effect.

What has happened to the Humber Bridge which we were promised just before the last General Election?

If he followed this more carefully, the hon. Gentleman would know that the Government have announced that we intend to go ahead with the construction of the Humber Bridge.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will transfer responsibility for dealing with noise nuisance caused by aircraft from the Board of Trade to the Department of Health and Social Security.

No, Sir. I would refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to what I said at Question Time on 17th February—[Vol. 796, c. 204–5.]