asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average age of the members of the Milk and Dairies Tribunal; what are the ages of the youngest and the oldest members of the tribunal, respectively; and what provision exists for the removal of members from the tribunal on the grounds of age or incapacity.

There are eight Milk and Dairies Tribunals for England and Wales set up under the Food and Drugs Act. Seven of these are for the various regions of England, and one is for Wales. Each tribunal consists of an independent chairman, appointed by my right hon. Friend, and two other members. One of the latter is appointed from a list of persons representative of consumers' interests, and the other from a list of persons either nominated jointly by the National Farmers Union and the Milk Marketing Board, or chosen as representative of the milk distributive trade, according to the case to be heard. The average age of the eight chairmen is 61 years, the oldest being 67 and the youngest 47. There are well over 200 names on the list from which the other members of a tribunal are drawn, and information on the respective ages is not readily available. Chairmen are appointed for a period of three years and may be re-appointed. If my right hon. Friend is satisfied that a chairman is incapacitated by infirmity of mind or body from discharging the duties of his office the regulations empower him to revoke the appointment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average age of the members of the tribunal on Plant Variety Rights; what are the ages of the youngest and the oldest members of the tribunal; and what provision exists for removal of members from the tribunal on grounds of age or incapacity.

The average age of the Chairman of the Plant Variety Rights Tribunal and of the panels from which the other members are selected is estimated to be 58. The age of the youngest member is 40 and of the oldest 82. The Plant Varieties and Seeds Act, 1964 provides for the appointment of the chairmen for such terms as may be determined by the Lord Chancellor. the Lord President of the Court of Session, and the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, for re-appointments, and for the removal of a chairman on grounds of unfitness, or incapacity; and for the drawing up of the panels by the agricultural Ministers, for their revision from time to time, and, subject to the provisions of Section 5 of the Tribunals and Inquiries Act, 1958, for the termination of the appointment of a member. Panel members are normally appointed for three years at a time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he received letters from the Sheffield and Rotherham branches of the National Federation of Fish Friers regarding cut-price fish affecting sales at their fish and chip shops by being sold in pubs and clubs, representing that these are coming from Hull wholesalers; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has not yet received the letters to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are now being taken, by permanent work or sandbags, by the Yorkshire Ouse and Hull River Authority and the Hull City Corporation to raise the wharves of the rivers Hull and Humber, respectively which were flooded in the September equinoctial high tide, to prevent flooding by this month's equinoctial high tides.

I am informed that Yorkshire Ouse and Hull River Authority has undertaken temporary sandbagging of some 1,100 yards of earthen embankment along the River Hull between Stone-ferry Bridge and a point slightly upstream of Sutton Road Bridge; this work is still in progress. The authority has already carried out repair work on the Humber banks breached on 29th September, 1969.Hull Corporation reports that three wharf owners on the River Hull have not so far made permanent repairs to their structures but two of these have assured the corporation that the work will be put in hand immediately. The third owner has taken steps to protect his property with sandbags pending permanent works.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further measures he intends to take as a protection against rabies; and if he will make a statement.

In view of the further case of rabies which has occurred in a dog after release from quarantine, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are proposing to set up a committee of inquiry to look into all aspects of our rabies policy in the light of the latest scientific knowledge and recent experience. I am glad to say that Mr. Ronald Waterhouse, Q.C., has agreed to act as chairman of the com- mittee. The names of the remaining members will be announced as soon as possible. The committee's terms of reference will be:

"To review the policy and precautions against rabies in Great Britain and to make recommendations".

In the meantime, pending the report of the committee, my right hon. Friend and I consider it necessary to take two further precautionary measures against the introduction of rabies. First, we intend to make an Order as soon as possible prohibiting the import into Great Britain of dogs and cats, including exotic canines and felines, except from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Secondly, we are making an Order extending the period of quarantine for dogs and cats already in this country from eight months to twelve months. This Order will take effect from 12th March. These measures will be reconsidered in the light of the committee's report and recommendations.I greatly regret the inconvenience which will be caused to some people by these interim arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the commanding officer of a Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers soldier in Germany, who three months ago paid £150 to the Regimental Pay Officer, Nottingham, failed to forward the application for discharge by purchase; why the wrong forms were used; and why the man has been posted to another unit instead of being discharged to take up a job in Australia.

I am investigating the matter urgently. My researches are not yet complete and I will write to my hon. and gallant Friend in the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the number of unexploded bombs left over from the Second World War remaining to be cleared from sites in the United Kingdom.

It is not possible to make such an estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to prevent military policemen from being stopped and searched by un-authorised persons in the Falls Road area of Belfast; and if lie will make a statement.

I am aware of this incident, and will write to the hon. and learned Member shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many places in maintained and non-maintained special schools are available for children under five in the following categories, blind, partially sighted, deaf, partially hearing, physically handicapped, delicate, maladjusted educationally subnormal, epileptic, and speech defect.

Following are the number of children under the age of 5 suffering from various categories of handicap who occupied places in maintained and non-maintained special schools on 1st January, 1969.

Category of Handicap	Maintained	Non-maintained
Blind	5	35
Partially sighted	20	—
Deaf	266	97
Partially hearing	43	3
Physically handicapped	268	54
Delicate	45	5
Maladjusted	10	3
Educationally subnormal	30	—
Epileptic	5	1
Speech defects	8	—

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the percentage increase in public expenditure at 1969 prices, on secondary and primary schools in Cornwall, respectively, since 1964, compared with the same period prior to that date.

No figures are available for expenditure, measured at constant prices, by individual local education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many persons were discharged for industrial misconduct during the year 1969; and of these how many were refused unemployment benefit as a result.

Information about the number of persons discharged for industrial misconduct is not available. Of the persons who became unemployed and claimed unemployment benefit in 1969, 185,610 were disqualified for receiving unemployment benefit by the insurance officer on the ground that they had lost their employment through misconduct. The period of disqualification may vary from one day to six weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity to what extent and on what criteria employees of overseas firms employed in the United Kingdom fall within the scope of the relevant training boards.

Provided that they are employed within Great Britain, such employees are within scope of the relevant industrial training boards.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the average age of the members of the industrial tribunals; what are the ages of the youngest and the oldest members of the tribunals, respectively; and what provision exists for the removal of members from the tribunals on grounds of age or incapacity.

The average age of chairmen of the industrial tribunals in England and Wales is about 58; the youngest is 42, the oldest 69. In Scotland, all the chairmen are under 50. Of those lay members whose age is known to the Department, the youngest is 38, the oldest 73. Chairmen are retired at age 72, but if the Lord Chancellor—or, in Scotland, the Lord President of the Court of Session—is satisfied that a chairman is unfit to perform the duties of the office by reason of inability, misconduct or any other cause, he may revoke the appointment at any time. The appointments of lay members are reviewed every three years but may be terminated by the Secretary of State at any time if the holder becomes unfit to perform the duties of the office by reason of inability, misconduct or any other cause.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many people were registered as unemployed at the East Ham Employment Exchange at the latest convenient date; what were the comparable figures on the same date in 1967, 1968 and 1969; and what percentage these figures represent of the working population in the area covered by the exchange.

TOTAL NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED IN THE AREA COVERED BY THE EAST HAM EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AND PERCENTAGE RATES OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE GREATER LONDON AREA
		Registered unemployed	Percentage rate*
February, 1970	…	1,011	1·4
February, 1969	…	942	1·5
February, 1968	…	931	1·8
February, 1967	…	823	1·6
* Percentage rates can be calculated for the Greater London area as a whole but not separately for its constituent parts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government regards herbicides and defoliants as being other such gases as CS and therefore outside the scope of the Geneva Protocol.

Her Majesty's Government have never regarded herbicides and defoliants as being covered by the terms of the Geneva Protocol. The question of CS is another matter altogether.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will detail in the OFFICIAL REPORT the steps taken since 1964 to increase the powers of the courts to deal with crime and violence, including variations in punishment.

The Criminal Justice Act, 1967 made a number of improvements in the administration of the criminal law, including provision for majority verdicts by juries; gave the courts power to pass suspended sentences of imprisonment, and extended sentences on persistent offenders; and increased the maxima of many monetary penalties imposed by magistrates' courts. The Theft Act, 1968 restated and modernised the law of theft and related offences, and increased some maximum penalties. New legislation now consolidated in the Firearms Act, 1968 created new offences, with heavy penalties, of unlawful carriage of firearms; increased the maximum penalties for many existing firearms offences; and made punishable the unlawful acquisition or possession of a shot gun.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for reports from chief contables about the practice of eavesdropping on telephone calls made by accused persons from police stations to near relatives; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is calling for a report on the case the hon. Member has in mind and I will write to him thereon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals have been made to him by Birmingham Corporation for renovation or replacement of Shawbury Approved School; and if he will recommend loan sanction in view of the state of this old building.

None. The question of loan sanction has not therefore arisen; but my right hon. Friend will be glad to consider any proposals that the city council may have.

asked the Secretary of Slate for the Home Department what is the average age of the members of the Horserace Betting Levy Board; what are the ages of the youngest and the oldest members of the board, respectively; and what provisions exist for the removal of members from the board on grounds of age or incapacity.

62; 51; 73. The chairman and two members appointed by the Home Secretary hold and vacate office in accordance with the terms of the instrument of their appointment. It has been the practice to make these appointments for a fixed period of three years. The three members appointed by the Jockey Club (incorporating the National Hunt Committee) may be removed from the board at any time by that body. The two remaining members are the chairman for the time being of the Bookmakers' Committee, which may regulate its own procedure, and the chairman for the time being of the Totalisator Board, who is appointed by my right hon. Friend on terms similar to those which apply to the members of the Levy Board so appointed.

asked the Secretary of Sate for the Home Department what is the average age of the members of the London Building Acts Tribunal; what are the ages of the youngest and the oldest members of the tribunal, respectively; and what provision exists for the removal of members from the tribunal on the grounds of age or incapacity.

61; 45; 73.Section 109 of the London Building Acts (Amendment) Act, 1939, provides that persons shall be nominated to the panel for a period of three years; and that the Lord Chancellor may if he thinks fit remove for inability or misbehaviour or other good and sufficient cause any person nominated to the panel.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many per- sons were born in the period mid-February 1952 to mid-February 1953 in the London Borough of Lambeth; and how this compares with the number of electors whose date of birth is shown on the 1970 Electoral Register.

The 1970 register shows the date of birth of 1,566 electors in the London Borough of Lambeth. I regret that the other information requested is not available for the area of the present borough.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is the average age of the members of the Wireless Telegraphy Tribunal; what are the ages of the youngest and the oldest members of the tribunal, respectively; and what provision exists for the removal of members from the tribunal on the grounds of age or incapacity.

The average age is 60; the youngest member is 53 years of age and the oldest 75. Provision for the removal of members from the tribunal on the grounds of incapacity is contained in the Second Schedule to the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1949.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications to which of the boards and committees to which he appoints members other than civil servants he has appointed women members; and how many in each case.

				Number of women members
Independent Television
Authority	…	…	…	3
Local Radio Councils for:
Brighton	…	…	…	3
Durham	…	…	…	2
Leeds	…	…	…	4
Leicester	…	…	…	5
Merseyside	…	…	…	2
Nottingham	…	…	…	2
Sheffield	…	…	…	4
Stoke-on-Trent	…	…	…	3
Post Office Users' National
Council	…	…	…	5

Post Office Users' Councils for Scotland, Wales and Monmouthshire and Northern Ireland and Local Radio Councils for the 12 new stations have still to be appointed. All are likely to have some women members.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what amount of Special Island Grant was recouped by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in Scotland in calculating reclamation and surface seeding grants for the last five years in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland, respectively.

No precise information is available, but the amount in volved is unlikely to be substantial

			Western Isles		Orkney		Shetland
Year			Cattle	Sheep	Cattle	Sheep	Cattle	Sheep
1965	…	…	512	6,208	2,367	17,050	85	9,362
1966	…	…	488	4,988	2,578	16,418	101	12,118
1967	…	…	857	7,569	2,865	15,766	224	11,240
1968	…	…	792	7,496	2,007	14,292	70	7,317
1969	…	…	639	5,962	1,997	12,120	83	6,567
These figures do not include stock outwith the guarantee scheme or certified elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what amount of Special Island Grant on phosphates and nitrogenous fertilisers were made during the last five years to the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland, respectively.

Payments to producers in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland during the past five financial years were:

				£
1964–65	…	…	…	21,936
1965–66	…	…	…	12,789
1966–67	…	…	…	14,992
1967–68	…	…	…	13,988
1968–69	…	…	…	17,543

Separate figures are not available for the various groups of islands.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now give the figures of recorded injuries caused by fireworks during the last guising season.

The table below analyses the information obtained from hospitals in Scotland relating to the 90 persons who since most island reseeding work is carried out under the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants (Scotland) Scheme and earns the maximum rate of grant per acre without abatement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what number of fat sheep and fat cattle were exported during the last five years from the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland, respectively.

I regret that statistics of the movement of fatstock between the Islands and mainland of Scotland are not available. The following figures relating to stock certified under the Fat-stock Guarantee Scheme have been supplied by the Meat and Livestock Commission:received hospital treatment for injuries caused by fireworks during the period 13th October to 9th November, 1969.Firework injuries in Scotland:

(a) Place where injury occurred
(1) family or private party	21
(2) public or semi-public party in parks	5
(3) casual incident in street	41
(4) other places	10
(5) unknown	13
(b) Type of firework involved
(1) banger	42
(2) rocket	8
(3) jumping cracker	6
(4) display firework, e.g. Roman candle	9
(5) other than above, including homemade firework	7
(6) unknown	18

(c) Age group of persons injured
(1) over 21	…	…	…	9
(2) 16–20	…	…	…	3
(3) 13–15	…	…	…	17
(4) under 13	…	…	…	61
(d) Severity of injury
(1) died	…	…	…	Nil
(2) severe injury		…	…	19
(3) minor injury		…	…	70
unknown	…	…	…	1

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many requests he has received over the past two years for special consideration under the welfare foods service in Scotland from persons declining to use welfare milk tokens on ethical grounds; and whether he will make a statement.

One. I have no plans for extending the welfare milk scheme to products other than milk.

asked the Minister of Technology what was the value for the 12 months to the latest convenient date of capital investment per employee in manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom; and how this compares, from figures available to him from international sources, with the equivalent figure for other member countries of the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development.

Following is the available information (see note 13). The figures should be interpreted with great caution; there are some differences in definition and in methods of compilation arid the comparisons are influenced by differences in economic structure.

			Value of capital investment in manufacturing and construction industries per employee in these industries
		Year	£ sterling
United Kingdom(*)(1)	…	1967	154
		1968	167
Austria(‡)(2)	…	1967	161
Belgium(†)(3)	…	1967	307
Canada(†)(4)	…	1967	418
France(‡)(5)	…	1966	310
Germany(†)(6)	…	1967	219
(Federal Republic)	…
Ireland(†)(7)	…	1965	147
Italy(†)(8)	…	1967	172
Japan(†)(9)	…	1966–67	173
Norway (a) (†)	…	1967	354
Norway (b)(‡)	…	1967	389
Spain(‡)	…	1966	188
Sweden(†)(11)	…	1967	303
United States(*)(12)	…	1967	500

(*) Wage earners and salaried employees.

(†) Civilian Labour Force Employed (includes Self-employed).

(‡) Number of Employees.

(1) Employment in June 1967 and June 1968 (includes persons temporarily laid off).

(2)Investment includes mining and quarrying. Employment in February and August 1967.

(3) Investment figures include gas and steam production and cardealers; exclude the cutting of stone. Employment in June 1967; includes persons working abroad.

(4) Employment of persons 14 years of age and over.

(5)Investment figures include fishing and the quarrying of building materials.

(6) Including West Berlin.

(7) Employment in April 1965.

(8) Investment figures include mining and quarrying and gas, electricity and water. Employment of persons aged 14 or over.

(9) Investment per year ending March 31st, 1967. Employment for 1967—persons aged 15 or over.

(10) Investment figures include mining and quarrying, gas, electricity and water. Employment —number of man years.

(11) Employment of persons aged 14 years or Over.

(12) Figures exclude the construction industry and relate only to the private sector. Employment figure includes persons aged 16 years or over.

(13) Figures for Luxembourg, Switzerland, Denmark, Portugal, Greece, Iceland and Turkey are not available.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will seek to establish in a vacant advance factory in Wales an industry to manufacture bilingual road signs.

We are prepared to allocate advance factories in Wales to any viable manufacturing enterprise offering the prospect of appropriate and continuing employment.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the average age of the members of the Metrication Board; what are the ages of the youngest and the oldest members, respectively; and what provision exists for the removal of members from the board on the grounds of age or incapacity.

The average age of the present 14 members of the board, including the chairman, is approximately 57, the youngest being 45 and the oldest 64.The chairman and deputy chairman have been appointed for a period of three years, and other members for two years. The director, who is also a member, was appointed for a period of five years.

asked the Minister of Technology when he will make copies of the gas centrifuge agreement between the Netherlands, West Germany and the United Kingdom, signed in the Netherlands on 4th March, available to the House.

Copies of the agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on collaboration in the development and exploitation of the gas centrifuge process for producing enriched uranium are now available in the Library of the House. The agreement will be laid before the House as a Command Paper within a few days.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will introduce legislation to amend the Mines and Quarries Act, 1954 so as to permit the introduction of a more effective management structure at large collieries.

Yes. It is hoped to introduce a Bill on this subject at the first opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many requests he has received over the past two years for special consideration under the welfare foods service in England and Wales from persons declining to use welfare milk tokens on ethical grounds; and whether he will make a statement.

I have received one such request which appears to be based at least in part on ethical grounds. Under the welfare foods scheme, milk tokens may be used only for the supply of liquid cow's milk or national dried milk.I am not satisfied that it would be justifiable to make the very complicated and probably costly administrative arrangements needed to meet these very infrequent cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the numbers and grades of all staff continuing to be employed at the Horn-sea Children's Convalescent Hospital since it was closed to patients, the cost per week and what organisation has made the payment for this.

One part-time nursing sister and one gardener. The estimated cost is £34 per week, which is paid by the hospital management committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will inquire into the circumstances which permitted an official of the British Air Lines Pilots Association to walk through the security net at Heathrow Airport into the central terminal area and the aircraft maintenance centre without challenge at any point; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Well publicised attempts, whether successful or not, to penetrate into the operational area at Heathrow are bound to lead to at least a partial revelation of the details of security measures and thus afford practical assistance to a would-be assailant. I therefore greatly hope that there will be no repetition of this incident. It must, however, be acknowledged that it has brought to light some remediable weaknesses in the security arrangements, and appropriate measures have been put in hand. I expect to receive further reports and I shall continue to take a close personal interest in this problem.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a list of those bodies, other than boards or committees, but including statutory corporations, to which he appoints members other than civil servants; and if he will state the number of members serving on each such body.

The following is the list:

Cinematograph Films Council	22
National Film Finance Corporation	6
British Film Fund Agency	3
British Travel Association	24
British Tourist Authority	9
British National Export Council	37
Working Group on Safety Appliances for Pleasure Yachts under 45 feet in length	21
The Consumer Council	12
Council of Industrial Design	24
Hearing Aid Council	12
Performing Right Tribunal	7
Inquiry into Precision Approach Radar	3
British Overseas Airways Corporation	11
British European Airways Corporation	11
British Airports Authority	6
Commission on Third London Airport	7
NOTE.—The numbers are given on the same basis as in the previous similar answer of 3rd March and include civil servants and some members not appointed by the President. I apologise for the error in the note to the previous reply.—[Vol. 797, c. 99]

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the average age of the members of the Air Transport Licensing Board; what are the ages of the youngest and the oldest members of the board, respectively, and what provision exists for the removal of members from the board on grounds of age or incapacity.

The average age of the members is 68. The youngest is 62 and the oldest 75. Appointments are made for a limited term, so the question of removal on grounds of age does not arise. The Board of Trade can declare a member's office vacant if it is satisfied that he has been absent from meetings of the Air Transport Licensing Board without permission for more than six months; has become bankrupt or made an arrangement with his creditors; or has by reason of illness of any other cause become unable or unfit to act as a member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the average age of the members of the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Tribunal; what are the ages of the youngest and the oldest members of the tribunal; and what provision exists for the removal of members from the tribunal on the grounds of age or incapacity.

The average age of the members is 64. The youngest is 60 and the oldest 67. A member is appointed for a specified period, currently three years, at the end of which he either ceases to be a member or is re-appointed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the average age of the members of the Performing Rights Tribunal; what are the ages of the youngest and the oldest members of the tribunal, respectively; and what provision exists for the removal of members of the tribunal on grounds of age or incapacity.

The average age of the members is 57. The youngest is 45 and the oldest 67. Paragraph 1 (3) of the Fourth Schedule to the Copyright Act, 1956 provides that the Board of Trade, or, in the case of the chairman of the tribunal, the Lord Chancellor, may declare the office of any member of the tribunal vacant on the ground of his unfitness to continue in office or incapacity to perform the duties thereof. Each member is appointed for a term of three years, and the question of fitness to continue is, of course, considered before a member is invited to serve a further period.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to arrest the decline in the percentage of Great Britain's trade with Commonwealth countries.

Our trade with the Commonwealth has grown in recent years but our trade with other areas has grown more, and the Commonwealth share of the total has thus declined. Imports from Commonwealth preference area countries were £2,553 million in 1969 as compared with £1,681 million in 1959, and exports to these countries were £2,212 million in 1969 as compared with £1,537 million in 1959. As I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Wembley, South (Sir R. Russell) on 25th February, we are doing all we can to encourage exports to Commonwealth preference area markets.—[Vol. 796, c. 1179–80.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of Great Britain's imports came from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the rest of the Commonwealth, and South Africa, respectively, in each of the years 1965 to 1968.

Following is the information:

PERCENTAGE SHARE OF UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS
		1965	1966
Australia	…	3·8	3·5
Canada	…	8·0	7·2
New Zealand	…	3·6	3·1
Other Commonwealth countries		14·2	13·6
South Africa	…	3·1	3·2
		1967	1968
Australia	…	2·7	7·7
Canada	…	7·1	6·5
New Zealand	…	2·9	2·5
Other Commonwealth countries		12·1	12·0
South Africa	…	3·4	3·4

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many complaints about the administration of bankrupt estates and companies his Department received in 1968 and in 1969, from bankrupts and from creditors, respectively.

I regret that it would not be possible to provide this information without an undue expenditure of time and labour.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the numbers of cars exported to Argentina in 1966, 1967, 1968, and 1969.

Following is the information:

Exports (including re-exports) of new and used cars
					Number
1966	…	…	…	…	70
1967	…	…	…	…	31
1968	…	…	…	…	30
1969	…	…	…	…	34

asked the Minister of Transport why there are no de-restriction signs for several miles on the de-restricted section of the A40 approaching London where there are street lamps; and if he will give instructions for their immediate erection.

The attention of the London Borough of Ealing, which is the agent for the maintenance of the relevant length of this trunk road, has already been drawn to this omission. It is arranging for the work to be carried out, and we have asked that it should be completed by the end of next month.

asked the Minister of Transport what comparison he has made between the new American standards for controlling motor vehicle exhaust emissions, details of which are in his possession, and those currently enforced in this country; if he is satisfied that British standards are adequate; and if he will make a statement.

Conditions in America call for different controls from those in force in this country. I am considering what changes, if any, should be made.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he will seek powers to remedy the inadequacies in provisions for overnight accommodation for lorry drivers following recent reductions in maximum hours of permitted driving time;(2) what representations he has recently received from road haulage interests and trade unions concerned about the inadequacy of lorry drivers' overnight accommodation following maximum hours of driving reductions; what reply he has sent; and what steps he proposes to take.

Existing legislation empowers local authorities to provide these facilities. We are, however, anxious about the whole question of the problems created by the overnight parking of lorries, and are consulting with local authority, industrial and union interest in an endeavour to determine how best to tackle this problem.We have received no recent representations.

asked the Minister of Transport how many local authorities have taken advantage of powers to subsidise rural bus services under the provisions of the Transport Act, 1968.

To my knowledge 17 local authorities in England are taking advantage of these powers, and several others have schemes under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport how many lorry drivers have so far taken the heavy goods vehicle licence test; what percentage have passed; whether he is satisfied with the working of the scheme; and if he will make a statement.

2,824 heavy goods vehicle driving tests had been conducted by 21st February, and the pass rate was 68 per cent. The demand for tests is increasing, and the arrangements are working smoothly.

asked the Minister of Transport how many heavy goods vehicles were tested at his Department's testing stations and roadside tests in 1968; and how many passed the test.

The scheme for plating and testing heavy goods vehicles at Ministry testing stations did not start until 1st October, 1968 in England and Wales and 1st December, 1968 in Scotland. Under a phased 18-month programme only the very oldest (pre-1958) vehicles were called for test in 1968. Statistics are kept in terms of the number of tests and re-tests conducted at Ministry stations, and not in terms of the number of vehicles tested. In 1968 out of a total of 31,121 tests, 7,533 (24 per cent.) resulted in the station being unable to issue a test certificate because of the presence of defects. These figures include vehicles submitted for re-test following initial failure.During the twelve months ended 30th September, 1968 checks of mechanical condition were carried out—mainly at the roadside—on 128,785 goods vehicles. 47.876 (37 per cent.) of these had prohibitions imposed, 11,303 (9 per cent.) being prohibited with immediate effect.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to secure the erection of crash brarriers along the central reservations and steep-sided sections of the newly opened Bedworth bypass.

Warwickshire County Council as highway authority for this principal road has provided about 2,500 lineal yards of safety fence in conformity with current standards for protection at high embankments and obstructions. On present criteria a crash barrier in the central reserve is not justified.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the average age of the members of the Transport Tribunal; what is the age of the youngest and the oldest member, respectively; and what provision exists for the removal of members of the tribunal on the grounds of age or incapacity.

64, 61 and 69 respectively; there are two vacancies. The president may also be assisted, on certain matters within the tribunal's juisdiction, by members of a special panel. The ages of the present members of this panel are 39, 42 and 63.The Tenth Schedule of the Transport Act, 1962, provides that the normal retiring age for the president shall be 72 and for the other members 70. But where it is considered desirable in the public interest the president or any other member may serve up to the age of 75.The president may be removed from his office on account of misbehaviour or inability to perform his duties. There is no explicit statutory provision for removal of members other than the president on the grounds of incapacity, but in practice I would not expect this to give rise to difficulty.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the average age of the Traffic Commissioners; what are the ages of the youngest and the oldest members of the commission, respectively; and what provision exists for the removal of members of the commission on the grounds of age or incapacity.

The average age of the Traffic Commissioners is 62; the youngest is 41 and the oldest 75. Under Section 121 of the Road Traffic Act, 1960, the chairmen of commissioners, who hold full-time appointments, are required to vacate office on reaching 70. The other commissioners hold office for periods of up to three years, and their reappointment is at my discretion. I have power to remove a commissioner from office for inability.

					Scotch	Catterick	Catterick
Personal Injury Accidents					Corner	(N)	(s)	Baldersby	Dishforth
1965	…	…	…	…	5	6	Nil	5	9
1966	…	…	…	…	6	2	2	7	9
1967	…	…	…	…	3	5	4	7	5
1968	…	…	…	…	6	1	1	11	9
1969 (First 4 months)			…	…	Nil	Nil	Nil	5	1

Figures for the cost of repairs arising from accidents at each of the five roundabouts are not readily available; nor are details of the later accidents in 1969. I will write to the hon. Member when further information has been obtained.

asked the Minister of Transport to which of the boards and committees to which he appoints members other than civil servants he has appointed women members; and how many in each case.

Following is the information:

	Number of women members
Central Transport Consultative
Committee for Great Britain	2
Inland Waterways Amenity
Advisory Council	2
Transport Users Consultative Committee:
East Anglia	6*
Scotland	5
Yorkshire	3
North Western	6
South Eastern	3
London	5
East Midland	5
West Midland	4
Wales and Mon	5
South Western	5
North Eastern	3
* As constituted for the term which expired on 28th February, 1970.

I am in the process of appointing members.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents have taken place, and what has been the cost of repairs, on each of the roundabouts between and including Scotch Corner and Dishforth, in each of the last five years.

The information is as follows:

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the disposal of waste material accumulating from the excavation of the remainder of the M4 motorway route, and of his measures to protect the countryside.

It is the responsibility of the contractor to make arrangements for the disposal of waste material and to obtain, where necessary, the consent of the local planning authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether his estimate of £3 million as the cost of replacing monoglot by bilingual signs was confined to place-names which have both a known Welsh and English form.

The estimate was based on the best available global figures for the replacement of all signs on trunk and local authority roads on which words are written.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many bilingual road signs were included in his estimate of £3 million as the cost of replacing current monoglot signs;(2) how many bilingual road signs were included in his estimate of £3 million as the cost of replacing present monoglot ones by bilingual signs.

The estimate was based on total costs and not on the number of individual signs provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the cost of erecting new road signs in Wales in 1967 to 1969; and what is his estimate for the completion of the work.

For trunk roads (excluding signs erected as part of a road improvement scheme) expenditure in the financial years 1967–68 to 1969–70 is expected to be about £246,000. About £25,000 will be required to complete this work on trunk roads. Information about signs erected on trunk roads as part of a road improvement scheme, and on local authorities' roads is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the cost which will be involved in converting road signs in Wales to metric linear measures.

No estimate can at present be made as the method of conversion has not yet been decided.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the proportion of place-name road signs in Wales which have a Welsh or English form alone without an alternative in the other language; and what proportion have both forms.

I regret that this information is not available and could not be obtained without disproprotionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to delete one or two of the place-names on road signs where there are three or four names, and to replace them with Welsh forms of the remaining name or names.

No. Any reduction in the number of destinations shown on route confirmatory signs would defeat the object of the signs.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to start placing bilingual directional road signs on Welsh roads.

I am proposing to authorise about thirty types of local informatory directional signs and town name plate signs in bilingual form. This general authorisation will be included in new Traffic Sign Regulations and General Directions which will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the extra cost involved in putting up a hundred bilingual rather than monoglot directional road signs; and what is the cost expressed as a proportion of the total.

The cost of any road sign varies so considerably according to the type, size, lettering and amount of information provided that it is not possible to give a realistic estimate in this form. On average, I estimate that bilingual signs would cost two-thirds more than the equivalent monoglot signs.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the extra cost incurred in erecting the same number of bilingual signs as were put up in monoglot form following the issuing of circular 37/67 by the Welsh Office Roads Division.

This information is not available as highway authorities were not required to submit details to me

Board or Committee		Number of Members	Number appointed by Secretary of State for Wales
Central Housing Advisory Committee	…	30	3
Water Resources Board	…	8	8‡
Ancient Monuments Board for Wales	…	13	13
Hill Farming Advisory Committee Sub-Committee for Wales and Monmouthshire	…	11	11*
Historic Buildings Council for Wales	…	7	7
Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales	…	4	1*
Passenger Transport Co-ordinating Committee for Wales	…	13	9
Rent Assessment Panel for Wales	…	51	35
Sports Council for Wales	…	69	5
Wales Tourist Board	…	6	6
Welsh Council	…	37	37
Welsh Hospital Board	…	32	32
Welsh Joint Pricing Committee	…	14	4
Welsh Language Advisory Translation Panel	…	10	10
Anglesey National Health Service Executive Council	…	30	7
Anglesey Agricultural Executive Committee	…	12	12*
Brecon Beacons National Park Joint Advisory Committee	…	18	6
Breconshire Agricultural Executive Committee	…	12	12*
Breconshire National Health Service Executive Council	…	30	7
Breconshire Park Planning Committee	…	20	7
Board of Governors, United Cardiff Hospitals	…	30	30
Caernarvonshire Agricultural Executive Committee	…	12	12*
Caernarvonshire National Health Service Executive Council	…	30	7
Caernarvonshire Park Planning Committee	…	18	6
Cardiganshire Agricultural Executive Committee	…	12	12*
Cardiganshire National Health Service Executive Council	…	30	7
Carmarthenshire Agricultural Executive Committee	…	12	12*
Carmarthenshire National Health Service Executive Council	…	30	7
Carmarthenshire Park Planning Committee	…	9	3
Cardiff National Health Service Executive Council	…	30	7
Cwmbran Development Corporation	…	9	9
Dee and Clwyd River Authority	…	25	5 (12) *†
Denbighshire Agricultural Executive Committee	…	12	12*
Denbighshire/Flintshire National Health Service Executive Council		30	7
Denbighshire Park Planning Committee	…	9	3
Flintshire Agricultural Executive Committee	…	12	12*
Forestry Commission Reference Panel—North Wales Conservancy		8	8
Forestry Commission Reference Panel—South Wales Conservancy		7	7
Glamorgan Agricultural Executive Committee	…	12	12*
Glamorgan National Health Service Executive Council	…	30	7
Glamorgan River Authority	…	23	5 (ll)*†
Gwynedd River Authority	…	27	4 (13)*†
Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Committee	…	86	38*
Merioneth Agricultural Executive Committee	…	12	12*
Merioneth National Health Service Executive Council	…	30	7
Merioneth Park Planning Committee	…	16	4
Merthyr Tydfil National Health Service Executive Council	…	30	7
Mid-Wales New Town Development Corporation	…	9	9
Monmouthshire Agricultural Executive Committee	…	12	12*

of the number or cost of signs erected in replacement of the old type mandatory and prohibitory signs.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give a list of the boards and committees to which he appoints members other than civil servants; and if he will state the number of members serving on each such board or committee.

The following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has received the Report of the Passenger Transport Co-ordinating Committee on Public Transport in South-East Wales; and whether he will make a statement.

I have received the report and I am making arrangements to publish it. I would like to take this opportunity of paying a tribute to the committee, under the chairmanship of Councillor Beeston, for undertaking the study.I shall make a further statement when I have had an opportunity of considering the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that those official forms which are printed in Welsh are as easily available as are English forms, and that the public are made conscious of their availability.

Welsh versions of such forms are readily available in Wales. The Government Departments concerned are responsible for providing information to the public about them. In addition, details of new forms avail- able are published annually in my White Paper on Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was his reply to the petition from 70 per cent. of Welsh psychiatrists requesting that bilingual forms be used in Welsh mental hospitals.

This is still being considered.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Southampton City Council were abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.

I estimate that the cost to Southampton City Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 15s. a week in a 52-week rent year.If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 50s. to 70s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range 4s. to 5s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Bristol City Council were abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.

I estimate that the cost to Bristol City Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 10s. a week in a 52-week rent year.If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 42s. to 58s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range 2s. to 3s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Hull City Council were abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.

I estimate that the cost to the Hull City Council of abolish- ing house subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 14s. a week in a 52-week rent year.If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range of 40s. to 65s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range of 7s. to 10s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Newcastle City Council were abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.

I estimate that the cost to Newcastle City Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excluding old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 13s. a week in a 52-week rent year.If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range of 55s. to 80s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range of 6s. to 9s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Nottingham City Council were abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.

I estimate that the cost to Nottingham City Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 9s. a week in a 52-week rent year.If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 25s. to 35s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range 3s. to 4s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

asked the Minister of of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Bradford City Council were abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.

I estimate that the cost to Bradford City Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 11s. a week in a 52-week rent year.If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range of 40s. to 54s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or about 1s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Sheffield City Council were abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.

I estimate that the cost to Sheffield City Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 14s. a week in a 52-week rent year.If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 70s. to 100s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range 4s. to 7s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Leeds City Council were abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.

I estimate that the cost to Leeds City Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 12s. a week in a 52-week rent year.If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 50s. to 90s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range 5s. to 7s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Manchester City Council were abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January 1970.

I estimate that the cost to Manchester City Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 14s. a week in a 52-week rent year.If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction at 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 58s. to 120s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range 1s. to 2s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Liverpool City Council were abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.

I estimate that the cost to Liverpool City Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 13s. a week in a 52-week rent year.If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 43s. to 48s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range 6s. to 9s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what investigations he has made into represent- tations that delays have taken place in house-building by the Greater London Council because of a shortage of steel.

There is a shortage of reinforcing steel at present, and my right hon. Friend has taken steps, in conjunction with his right hon. Friends the Ministers of Technology and Public Building and Works, to help the Greater London Council to obtain a supply.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Greater London Council were abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.

I estimate that the cost to the Greater London Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 16s. a week in a 52-week rent year.If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range of 60s. to 80s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range of 3s. to 4s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Birmingham City Council were abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.

I estimate that the cost to the Birmingham City Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 21s. a week in a 52-week rent year.If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 45s. to 65s. a week if applied only to those dwellings, or in the range 3s. to 4s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many house-purchasers in Cornwall have taken advantage of the option mortgage scheme since its introduction.

I regret that this information is not available. The statistics provided by lenders under the option mortgage scheme when claiming Exchequer payments do not include borrowers' place of residence.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the number of new houses completed in Cornwall since October 1964; and what was the number completed in the same period prior to that date.

There were 16,121 new dwellings completed in Cornwall during the period of five years and three months from 1st November, 1964 to 31st January, 1970. An estimated 9,625 were

			1965–66 £	1966–67 £	1967–68 £	1968–69 £	1969–70 £	1970–71 £
Rate Support Grant
Needs Element	…	…			5,931,221	4,231,635	4,801,803	5,127,715
Resources Element	…	…			Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Domestic Element	…	…			198,301	395,975	607,148	831,529
Grants corresponding to Rate Support Grant
General Grant	…	…	4,728,824	5,153,241
Rate-deficiency Grant	…	…	Nil	Nil
Highways revenue Grant		…	33,881	14,035
Totals	…	…	4,762,705	5,167,276	6,129,522	4,627,610	5,408,951	5,959,244

completed in the period of equal length ending 31st October, 1964.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the average age of the members of the rating tribunals, local valuation courts; what are the ages of the youngest and oldest members of the courts; and what provision exists for the removal of members from these courts on the grounds of age or incapacity.

The members of local valuation courts are appointed by local authorities and I have no information about their ages. Since 1966 all new schemes for the constitution of local valuation panels, from whose members a valuation court is constituted, have been required to include a provision for an upper age limit of 72 years.All schemes contain a provision which enables the Minister or the appointing local authorities to remove a member from office.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the total amount paid from Government sources in rate support grants to the London Borough of Lambeth in each year from 1965–66 onwards, and the estimated amount for 1970–71.

The latest estimates of rate support grants payable to the London Borough of Lambeth for the years 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70 and 1970–71 and the corresponding grants for the two previous years are shown below.