asked the Minister of Technology whether he has now received an application from the British Steel Corporation to import coking coal; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will give a general direction to the Gas Council that the cost of conversion of gas meters from 6d. to a 1s. as a result of decimalisation should be borne by the Gas Council and not consumers, especially those on small incomes.

No charge is made by gas boards for such conversions of their own primary meters.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the level of self-financing of the British Steel Corporation in 1968–69; and what is his estimate of the level for the current year and the next.

In 1968–69, 83 per cent. For 1969–70 and 1970–71 I would ask the hon. Member to await the forthcoming White Paper on loans from the National Loans Fund.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the progress of the reorganisation of the British Steel Corporation into product groups.

The new product divisions become operative on 29th March.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he is aware that the Ford Motor Company has now withdrawn its intention to build plants in Yorkshire and Lanarkshire and now proposes to build them in Saarlouis and Cologne; and if he will request the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation to assist the development of the company in the United Kingdom so that these plants will not go overseas.

I have received no information to suggest that such plants were in prospect.

asked the Minister of Technology what research he is sponsoring into the possibility of laser beams being used to precipitate thermo-nuclear reactions.

Theoretical and experimental studies have been carried out at Culham Laboratory as part of the fusion research programme of the Atomic Energy Authority.The results indicate that the power and energy of existing lasers are far too small to trigger a self-sustaining thermonuclear reaction process.

asked the Minister of Technology (1) if he will take steps to assist the British Steel Corporation and the National Coal Board to make good the loss of revenue resulting from the burning off to waste of coke oven gas that will result from failure to find alternative outlets for it when natural gas is introduced;(2) if he will take steps to ensure that coke oven gas will still be used rather than flared off to waste as a result of the introduction of North Sea gas.

As I said in a reply on 4th March, talks about the possible future use of this gas are going on between the parties concerned. In those circumstances the question of compensation for the waste of the gas does not arise.—[Vol. 797, c. 122.]

asked the Minister of Technology what were the fire losses in the United Kingdom in 1969; what steps are being taken to secure reduction in such losses; and what conversations he has had with a view to seeking to introduce through insurance offices a substantial no-claim bonus as an incentive to greater fire precaution awareness and protection.

Estimates by the British Insurance Association put direct fire losses in 1969 at £120 million. The Ministry and the fire insurance companies jointly support the Fire Research Station, which conducts research into all aspects of the prevention and extinction of fire, but the question of a no-claim bonus is a matter solely for the insurance companies.

asked the Minister of Technology what estimate he has now made for 1970 and 1971 of the effects of strikes on United States and British investment in the motor industry of the United Kingdom.

The investment intentions of United Kingdom motor manufacturers will be influenced by a number of factors, including labour relations in the industry. It is not possible to estimate separately the effect of strikes on their decisions.

asked the Minister of Technology why he has discontinued his sponsorship of research by the Southampton University Institute of

PRODUCTION
Million metric tons
Year			United Kingdom (N.C.N. deep mined)	Community	Western Germany	France	Belgium	Holland
1964	…	…	188	229	143	53	21	12
1965	…	…	182	210	136	51	20	12
1966	…	…	169	210	132	50	17	10
1967	…	…	167	189	117	48	16	8
1968	…	…	159	181	117	42	15	7
1969	…	…	146	176	116	41	13	6

asked the Minister of Technology if he will give the proportion of primary fuels used in the generating of electricity which is now predicted for 1974–75.

My hon. Friend has been misinformed. This work has not been discontinued.

asked the Minister of Technology what reply he has sent to the representations from the Institution of Professional Civil Servants on the setting up of plant by the Government for large-scale production of carbon fibres; and what consideration he has given to the technology of coal derivatives in the project.

The I.P.C.S. letter is being considered in the Department and my right hon. Friend expects to reply very shortly. Work on coal products as a raw material for carbon fibre production is in progress.

asked the Minister of Technology how the decline of coal production in this country compares with the decline in coal-producing countries of the European Economic Community from the year 1964 to the nearest available date, from information available to him from international sources.

Since 1964 U.K. production has fallen by 22 per cent. and Community production by 28 per cent. Following are detailed figures:

About one-third of total primary fuel use in the mid-seventies will be for electricity generation.

asked the Minister of Technology what proportion of spare electricity capacity is planned for each of the next five years.

The last estimates made by the C.E.G.B. in 1969 showed margins well in excess of 17 per cent., but these estimates will probably be revised downwards later this year on the basis of changed assumptions about the rate of commissioning of new plant.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will introduce legislation to prevent international companies from allocating world markets to their subsidiaries in such a way that British subsidiaries are excluded from important and profitable markets.

I am aware that this can be a problem. It is a matter for Government to discuss with, and where appropriate seek assurances from, international companies, rather than for legislation.

asked the Minister of Technology if he is aware of the transfer abroad of particular processes or the manufacture of particular components required by the motor industry as a result of rationalisation within international motor manufacturing companies with subsidiaries in this country; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this problem.

Any plans by an international company for the rationalisation of production across national frontiers will normally involve a two-way flow. I am keeping in close touch with the companies concerned to ensure that U.K. interests are respected.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board to supply anthracite rather than substitute fuels for use in storage heaters, cookers and for water boilers.

No.

asked the Minister of Technology when he next proposes to make an official visit to Scotland.

My most recent official visit to Scotland was on 12th January to meet the Scottish T.U.C. I hope to make a further visit during the coming months.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will provide details showing how far Government policy has been responsible for channelling financial assistance to industry in the development areas, and each recipient town, respectively how many factories have been built how many are still in the process of building; how many are planned for in the future as a result of Government aid up to the latest convenient date; and if he will make a statement.

Since 1966 the Government have developed a substantial and balanced package of measures of preferential assistance to industry in the development areas. Expenditure on this assistance is now running at some £270 million a year. Between 1st April, 1966, and 31st March, 1969, 229 new Government factories or extensions provided under the Local Employment Acts were completed, and a further 96 have since been authorised. Information on assistance to industry in individual towns and on the number of new private factories planned, completed and under construction in the development areas is not readily available.

asked the Minister of Technology how many of the 500-megawatt generators which developed faults have now been repaired; and if he will make a statement.

I understand from the C.E.G.B. that 12 of the 18 500-megawatt units so far commissioned have been in operation in recent weeks; in addition, five units which have been synchronised have provided useful output.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he has allocated the third round of licences for exploration in the North Sea and the Irish Sea; and if he will make a statement.

The applications for production licences are under consideration. We cannot yet give a date for the announcement of awards.

asked the Minister of Technology whether, in view of the closure of Astley Green Colliery with 1,300 employees following the closure of Mosley Common Colliery with 2,800 employees in addition to the closure of textile mills, he is now prepared to grant development area status to the Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley area.

Unemployment in the area is below the national average and there are employment opportunities within reasonable travel-to-work distance. Given the urgent employment needs of other areas, I do not think that it would be right to designate the area as a development area.

asked the Minister of Technology (1) what consideration he has given to the effect of sonic booms during the Concorde trials upon domestic animals generally.(2) what consideration he has given to the effect which sonic booms during the Concorde trials will have upon people riding horses.

The effect of Concorde's boom on people and animals was fully considered before the Government decided to authorise the use of the West coast test route.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he has yet reached a decision as to whether to prolong the life of the Shipbuilding Industry Board for one year after the end of 1970.

My right hon. Friend will reach a decision on this as soon as consultation with the interests concerned has been completed.

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he intends to take in view of the recent deterioration in the supply of smokeless fuel in this country.

There has been no significant change since I spoke in the debate on 3rd February.—[Vol. 795, c. 344.]

asked the Minister of Technology if he will state the number of pits closed since October 1964 and the number of mineworkers employed at that date and those employed at present, respectively.

Since the end of October 1964 258 collieries have been closed or merged. The number employed in October 1964 was some 488,800; it is now 296,700.

asked the Minister of Technology what plans his Department now has for the establishment of a nuclear power station in the vicinity of Connah's Quay, North Wales; to what extent this would involve restrictions on industrial and residential development in the vicinity; and if he will make a statement concerning the proposals and anticipated effects on all classes of development.

Consideration of the Central Electricity Generating Board's application for consent to a nuclear power station at Connah's Quay is being deferred pending completion of the planning study of development in the area which is being made for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.If the station were built, development controls would apply in an area up to about two miles from the reactors, chiefly to residential development. Following are details of the controls:

asked the Minister of Technology why the inquiry he has set up into the safety of North Sea gas does not include the operation of the conversion programme to date in its terms of reference.

Because I do not believe that such an inquiry into the conversion programme is necessary.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will arrange for the building of an advance factory in the heavy unemployment area of Thorne.

We are considering a number of sites, including Thorne, for the location of the fourth advance factory in the Yorkshire coalfield.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will now make a further statement on the affairs of the Beagle Aircraft Company.

The House had an opportunity to debate this matter fully on 10th March and we have nothing to add at present.

asked the Minister of Technology when he proposes to make available in the Library a copy of the Beagle Aircraft Company's approved programme of work.

I have nothing to add to my answer to the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow) on 2nd March, 1970.—[Vol. 797, c. 200.]

asked the Minister of Technology what Government contracts are at present being undertaken by Handley Page Aircraft.

None. The company has ceased trading, and the outstanding work under Government contracts is being transferred to Hawker Siddeley Aviation Ltd.

asked the Minister of Technology what are the coal stocks in Scotland at the latest convenient date; and what were the equivalent stocks at the same date in 1967, 1968 and 1969.

1·8 million tons 14th February, 1970, of which 0·9 million tons were undistributed stocks. Stocks at mid-February in 1967, 1968 and 1969 were:—

Million tons
		1967	1968	1969
Distributed stocks	…	1·0	1·3	1·3
Undistributed stocks	…	1·0	2·5	2·2
		2·0	3·8	3·5

asked the Minister of Technology what is his estimate of the effect of recent wage increases on manufacturers' investment intentions.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to similar Questions today.

asked the Minister of Technology what was the average percentage of world orders obtained by British shipyards in the years 1960 to 1964, and in the years 1965 to 1969, respectively.

Based on information derived from Lloyds Register of Shipping the figures for United Kingdom shipyards are 10·4 per cent, and 7·2 per cent. respectively of gross tonnage of net new orders. On the basis of official figures, net new orders for export increased from 16 per cent. to 36 per cent. of the United Kingdom total for this period. Overall, in tonnage terms the orders received averaged 1·0m. p.a. in 1960–64 and 1·6m. p.a. in 1965–69.The present merchant ship order book is now 4·8m. gross tons, worth about £600m., the highest for over 10 years, with naval orders worth £200m. above that.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will request the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation to refrain from taking any steps to frustrate the proposed merger of Dunlop Limited and Pirelli, notwithstanding the objections which the corporation advanced against trans-national mergers in the case of Skefco's bid for Ransome and Marles Limited.

Since the Government announced on 13th March that they welcomed this proposal and did not intend to refer it to the Monopolies Commission the question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Technology why the Culm Valley line, which is still open for freight services, did not appear on the map in his Department's advertisements in the Press on 8th March.

This line was not shown because it was not relevant to the purpose of the advertisement.

asked the Minister of Technology what changes he is proposing to make to improve the investment grant system; and if he will issue a Green Paper.

None. But, as the hon. Member well knows, we have in hand a study of the effectiveness of investment grants.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will now extend the principle of European atomic collaboration, as exemplified recently in the Anglo-German-Dutch ultracentrifuge agreement, to the field of mercantile nuclear propulsion; and if he will embark on discussions to this end with Germany in particular.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to similar Questions today. I would only add that, although my right hon. Friend will bear in mind the possibilities of international collaboration in the nuclear ship field, any economic benefits may not be so large in this as in other fields because the ship market is already largely international.

asked the Minister of Technology what assistance he has given in the technology of blending coal for coking coal uses; and if he will make a statement on its potential.

The Department has assisted this work at the British Coke Research Association by its grant-in-aid and by specific capital provision for paint. Application of this technology will greatly assist us to make the most effective use of indigenous reserves in meeting the continuing demand for metallurgical coke.

asked the Minister of Technology whether it is his practice to hold non-attributable Press briefings.

Yes, from time to time as, if and when necessary.

asked the Minister of Technology what research he is undertaking into the manufacture of a more accurate altimeter device for use in civil aircraft.

There is continuing effort to improve the accuracy of aircraft altimeters, both barometric and radio. In the case of barometric altimeters the emphasis is on quantifying the pressure errors that result from disturbance of the air by the aircraft and compensating for them in the design of the sensing device.Work is also being done on the development of digital air data computers.

asked the Minister of Technology what research he is undertaking into the production of improved clear air turbulence detection systems for jet aircraft.

We are contributing to the intensive international study of the causes of clear air turbulence and those associated phenomena which may be detected remotely. Recent research work on detection of one of these—temperature gradient—has been carried out in conjunction with universities and industry. Results so far do not suggest that a useful detection system for jet aircraft could be based on this approach.

asked the Minister of Technology what research he is undertaking into a crash-proof fuel for use in civil airliners; whether this includes the development of gelled fuels; and whether he will make a statement.

Research on safety fuels and thickened fuels is in progress, but it would not be appropriate for me to make a statement at this stage.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will introduce legislation to reduce the amount of inflammable materials used in the construction of aircraft in this country; what research is being undertaken in this; and whether he will make a statement.

Research work on the reduction of flammability of aircraft materials, both passenger cabin furnishings and electronic/avionic equipment, is in progress; a statement would not be appropriate at the present time. The question of legislation is a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Technology what research he is undertaking to ensure that emergency exits in civil airliners can withstand crash impacts so that they may still be opened.

The problem of ensuring that emergency exits have satisfactory opening qualities in a crash is one mainly of designing to rather ill-defined conditions. Consideration is, therefore, being given to undertaking more work on the overall "crash-worthiness" of aircraft.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will list those limited liability companies, such as the Beagle Aircraft (1968) Limited, authorities, boards, commissions, councils and other bodies to which his Department appoints full- or part-time chairmen, directors or members, together with the salaries and expenses these nominated persons draw from public funds.

My right hon. Friend listed the boards and committees to which he appoints members other than civil servants in his reply on 2nd March to a Question from the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Sharples)—[Vol. 797, c. 19–20.] They included the National Coal Board, the British Steel Corporation, the Gas Council and its area boards, the Electricity Council and its area boards, the Central Electricity Generating Board, and the Atomic Energy Authority. Details of appointments to these bodies were published in the White Paper (Cmnd. 4245 of 1969) entitled "List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character". Except for members of the Atomic Energy Authority, payments are made not from public funds but from the revenues of these bodies.Of the other bodies listed in his reply of 2nd March, my right hon. Friend appoints members on a salaried basis as follows:

English Industrial Estates Corporation
Chairman, Part time	£2,000
Part-time Members (4)	£500
Furniture Development Council
Chairman, Part-time	£1,500
(Paid from the Council's funds from revenue from an industrial levy).
Industrial Re-organisation Corporation
Chairman, Part-time	£1,000
Deputy Chairman, Part-time	£1,000
Managing Director	£12,550 plus £7,450 Pension Provision.
Part-time Members (1)	£2,725
(1)	£2,500
(1)	£4,000
(4)	£1,000
Metrication Board
Chairman, Part-time	£3,500
Deputy Chairman, Part-time	£2,000
Part-time Members (13)	£750
Ministry of Technology Advisory Committee
Chairman, Part-time	£2,250
Part-time Members (5)	£1,000
National Computing Centre
Chairman, Part-time	£1,000
Deputy Chairman, Part-time	£750
Director, Full-time	£6,500
Part-time Members (2)	£500
National Research Development Corporation
Chairman, Part-time	£2,000 (draws £1,000).
Managing Director, Full-time	£11,500
Executive Directors, Full-time (3) in the salary range	£7,500–£10,000
Part-time Members (9)	£1,000
Scottish Industrial Estates Corporation
Chairman, Part-time	£2,000
Part-time Members (4)	£500
Shipbuilding Industry Board
Chairman, Full-time	£8,500
Director, Full-time	£7,500
Part-time Members (2)	£1,500
(1)	£750
The Textile Council
Chairman, Part-time	£2,000 plus £500 expenses.
Vice Chairman, Part-time	£500 expenses only.
(Both paid from the Council's funds raised by an industrial levy).

Welsh Industrial Estates Corporation
Chairman, Part-time	£2,000
Part-time Members (4)	£500
I also appoint Directors to the following:—
Chairman, Part-time	£2,000
Managing Director, Full-time	£9,000
Financial Director, Part-time	£900
Two other Directors are full-time executives of of the Company who are not paid as Directors.
Payments are made from the Company, not from public funds.
International Computers Ltd.
Part-time Director (receives fees as paid by the Company, and is allowed to retain up to £750).
Power Jets (Research and Development) Ltd.
Chairman, and two Directors, part-time are unpaid.
SB Realisations Ltd.
Chairman and two Directors, no payment.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will now undertake research into collision-avoidance systems for civil airliners.

Separation assurance is provided for civil aircraft by air traffic control, and much of our research is aimed at improving its rôle in reducing the risk of collision.Ideas for self-contained airborne collision-avoidance systems are kept under review, and specific proposals are studied from time to time, but at present no proposal warrants diversion of significant effort from the primary air traffic control task.

asked the Minlster of Technology what research he is undertaking on the fitting of aircraft seats to the floors of aircraft to enable them better to withstand emergency impacts.

The overall matching of seat design, seat attachments and passenger-resilient systems is currently being reviewed. At present it appears that the attachment strength is the least critical factor.

asked the Minister of Technology (1) whether he is satisfied that advanced gas-cooled nuclear power stations do not cause any measurable health hazards for neighbouring districts; and if he will make a statement;

The operation of nuclear power stations is, and will, continue to be strictly controlled so as to ensure that in normal working they do not cause any measurable health hazard or significant effect on the environment. As a precaution against the very unlikely event of an accidental release of radioactivity, every station has an emergency plan, approved by my right hon. Friend, for safeguarding the nearby population. This plan includes arrangements for monitoring discharges and for timely evacuation should that be necessary.

asked the Minister of Technology what proportion of the money allocated to the Humberside under the Local Employment Act, 1970, will be counted against the financing of the Humber Bridge; and what proportion will be available for other forms of assistance to the area.

The arrangements for financing the Humber Bridge were explained in the statement by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Economic Affairs on 30th April, 1969. There will he no expenditure on the bridge under the Local Employment Act, 1970. Gross annual public expenditure under this Act is unlikely to exceed £14 million in a full year. As the distribution of financial assistance will depend largely on the response of industry in particular places, this estimate cannot be broken down by individual intermediate areas.—[Vol. 782, c. 1437–42.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the result of the discussions with the Danish Government regarding the prevention of deep-sea fishing of Atlantic salmon.

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture said on 11th March, we are in constant consultation with the Danish Government and other Governments concerned. These discussions are, of course, confidential, but I hope to see an effective and equitable solution in the near future.—[Vol. 797, c. 1333–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the Government, following the recent political difficulties in Lesotho, has pursued a different policy from that followed in case of similar difficulties in other independent Commonwealth countries in Africa; whether recognition is still given to the Government headed by Chief Leabua Jonathan; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on 2nd March to Questions by the hon. Members for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen), and Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) and my hon. Friend the Member far Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd). Her Majesty's Government are applying the normal criteria for recognition in the case of Lesotho, and are not following a different policy from that followed where questions of recognition have arisen in other independent Commonwealth countries in Africa. No decision on the recognition of Chief Jonathan's administration has yet been taken.—[Vol. 797, c. 10–11.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has now received from the French Government the same assurances that were given to him by the other five European Economic Community Governments at the last meeting of the Western European Union Council at Ministerial level.

All six Governments have agreed that their preliminary discussions on political unification should be in the perspective of the enlargement of the Communities. As I told the right hon. Member for Bridlington (Mr. Wood) on 13th February, we are confident that they will take into account in these discussions our keen interest in playing a full and equal part in the development of European political unity.—[Vol. 795, c. 443–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official communication he has received from the West German and Polish Governments arising from their joint discussions over the de jure status of the Oder-Neisse frontier.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to other members of the United Nations since the declaration of a Republic in Rhodesia, for them to contribute to the Beira patrol; and what replies he has received from them.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the fact that during the last war when the Nazis purported to establish illegal governments on the majority of peoples in occupied territories the British Government assisted in establishing temporary governments in exile, he will initiate discussions to set up a Government for Rhodesia temporarily based in London.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend on 19th March.—[Vol. 798, c. 178–9].

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government intend to recognise the travel and identity documents issued by the United Nations Council for Namibia.

No. An effective instrument for dealing with the problem of travel documents for South-West African refugees already exists in the United Nations Convention of 1951 and the Protocol of 1967 which relates to the Status of Refugees.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the official visit to Brussels of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in regard to Great Britain's application to join the European Economic Community.

I had valuable talks in Brussels on 12th March with M. Harmel, the Belgian Foreign Minister, on European Community questions, particularly the prospects for Britain's negotiations for entry into the Communities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will instruct the British delegation to raise at the United Nations the question of the trial of 10 members of the South-West African Peoples Organisation, now taking place in the Transvaal under the Terrorism Act, and to move a resolution proposing international condemnation of the trial.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Written Answer I gave him on 13th March.—[Vol. 797, c. 393.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further information he has about the retention by the Chinese of Captain Ray of m.v. "Anchises" and Mr. Duff of m.v. "Glenfalloch"; whether he will propose to the Chinese a joint inquiry into the extent to which these men were carrying out the regular international procedure for entering harbours; and what he is doing to safeguard the personnel of the Ocean Steamship Company, whose ships have now been withdrawn from Chinese territorial waters, so that Sino-British trade can be resumed.

I summoned the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires on 20th March and expressed our grave concern at the detention of Captain Ray and Mr. Duff. Representations on similar lines had been made to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 19th March. The Chinese assured us that both officers are in good health and that when the Shanghai authorities had completed their investigations the matter would be dealt with speedily. We shall, of course, continue to keep in close touch with the Chinese authorities. In our approaches to the Chinese Government we have emphasised the need for British shipping companies to be kept fully informed of any changes in harbour regulations which could lead to misunderstandings.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the negotiations between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Libya have been completed; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the answer he received on 26th January from my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary. The withdrawal of British troops is still proceeding satisfactorily with the full co-operation of the Libyan authorities. Other aspects of our relations with Libya are being covered in our continuing discussions.—[Vol. 794, c. 244.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what international steps have been or are intended to be taken following the meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organisation against countries in which criminals intend to blow up civilians in civil aircraft, and who have not outlawed such criminals; and what international meetings have now been arranged to deal with piracy and murder in the air.

The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (I.C.A.O.) are arranging for an Extraordinary Assembly of the Organisation to meet on 16th June in Montreal. Its aim will be to improve the security of civil aviation by international co-operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in arranging for the incorporation of the terms of the Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act, 1958, into the respective legal systems of Antigua, Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla and Tonga.

It is for the Governments of St. Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla and Antigua to decide whether to incorporate the terms of the Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act, 1958, into their respective legislations. Neither they nor Tonga have yet enacted legislation. In the case of Tonga, since the coming into force of the present Treaty of Friendship Her Majesty's Government have no power either to legislate for Tonga on such a matter, or to require Tonga to legislate.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he intends to publish an up-to-date version of the publication, Health and Welfare, Command Paper No. 1973.

Revised plans were published in July, 1964, and June, 1966. I do not propose to call for a further revision at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied as to the effect of the continuing centralisation of operations, including minor operations, in large hospitals, on the rural population; and if he will make a statement.

In order to provide patients who need surgery with the best possible treatment considerable concentration of the highly qualified manpower and costly equipment and supporting services required is desirable. Admittedly this policy may cause some difficulties for patients in rural areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average number of patients on waiting lists for geriatric beds throughout the country.

8,748 people in England and Wales were waiting for geriatric and chronic sick beds at 31st December, 1968, the latest date for which figures are available. This is a rate of 14·6 people for every 100 beds.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he now proposes to take regarding the shortage of full-time hospital pharmacists in the National Health Service.

An agreement was reached by Committee C of the Pharmaceutical Whitley Council on 11th March which provides for substantial increases in pay for hospital pharmacists. Longer term action will depend on the outcome of my consultations on the recommendations of the Working Party on the Hospital Pharmaceutical Service to which I referred in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, West Derby on 25th February.—[Vol. 796, c. 355–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hypnotists have been approved by his Department as being competent to assist cigarette smokers attempting to give up smoking.

The approval of my Department is not needed for attempts to cure the smoking habit by hypnosis.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of pharmacists serving National Health Service patients in the area of the Middlesex Executive Council, the total amount of dispensing fees paid last year, and his estimate of the amount for each patient annually on the basis that the total is allocated in the form of a capitation fee for each patient registered.

In January, 1970 there were 554 chemist contractors in the area of the Middlesex Executive Council which in 1969 were paid in remuneration £1,414,866 as professional (dispensing) fees and £562,375 as on-cost allowance, a total of £1,977,241; this represents about 17s. 8d. per patient on doctors' prescribing lists in Middlesex. These sums exclude the amounts reimbursed to chemists for the wholesale cost of drugs etc. Chemist contractors in neighbouring Executive Council areas may dispense prescriptions for Middlesex patients and patients on doctors' lists in other areas may take their prescriptions to chemist contractors in the Middlesex area.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of deaths in England and Wales due to abortion from all causes for 1969, according to the International Classification of Disease; and how many of these were due to legal abortions carried out under the Abortion Act 1969.

Seventeen deaths were provisionally reported under the Act, of which four were classified as directly due to abortion (ICD 640 and 641). A further 25 deaths were classified as directly due to abortions other than under the Act. A provisional total of 29 deaths were thus classified under ICD categories as directly due to abortion.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mothers died as a result of abortion operations in the first year of the Abortion Act.

Eight. The deaths were assigned to the following underlying causes:

• Abortion (6).
• Carcinoma of rectum (1).
• Venous thrombosis (1).

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average weekly cost to his Department of employing a temporary shorthand typist through an employment agency; and what is the comparative weekly cost of employing an established shorthand typist of the same grade, allowing for salary, holiday pay, and other indirect and stautory costs of employment.

This Department does not employ any shorthand typists engaged through employment agencies at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many special schools for mentally handicapped children exist in Bedfordshire; how many children go to these schools; and how these figures compare with the figures for 1964.

There are two training centres for mentally handicapped children in Bedfordshire, attended in 1964 by 45 children and now, with more space available, attended by 136: a centre now under construction will provide 45 further places, and there are plans to provide another.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what new questions are to be included in the 1971 Census.

Following items in the second Schedule of the Census Order are new:

(a) The year of entry into the United Kingdom of a person not born in the United Kingdom (item 7).

(b) The countries of birth of the person's parents (item 8).

(c) The dates of birth of children born alive in marriage to women who are or who have been married (item 11(a)).

(d) Educational attainments of the standard of G.C.E. "A" level and its Scottish equivalents (item 12(b)).

(e) The occupation one year before Census day of those in employment during the pre-census week, item 14(a) (viii)).

(f) Ability to read and write Welsh in returns made in Wales including Monmouthshire, and similarly for Gaelic in returns made in Scotland (items 21, 22, 24 and 25).

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospital medical staff, engaged on liver transplants and associated work, have died of hepatitis during the last two years.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware that three wards at Frenchay Hospital are being closed, with the loss of some 60 beds, as a result of shortage of nursing staff; and if he will make a statement on his proposals for increasing recruitment of nurses in this area.

The Frenchay Hospital Management Committee decided to close three wards at Frenchay Hospital because of a shortage of trained nursing staff able to work in the evenings, at night and at the weekend: a plastic surgery ward and a thoracic surgery ward each of 20 beds have already been closed and a chronic sick ward of 20 beds is being closed as beds become vacant. The Hospital Management Committee are mounting an intensive advertising campaign in the local and national Press for the recruitment of trained nurses and are considering the provision of transport for nurses living in areas where public transport is limited.As the hon. Member will know I have recently mounted a national recruiting campaign which I hope will especially help hospitals experiencing staffing difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the fact that the incubation period for leprosy is three to five years, he will estimate the number of new leprosy cases which will be notified in the United Kingdom by March, 1975.

It is impossible to make such an estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will bring up to date the figures of the Health Report for England and Wales published in 1966, which stated that between 1952 and 1961 West Indian coloureds were responsible for 54·2 per cent. of the increase of gonorrhea in males; and if he will publish comparable figures for each of the years 1962 to 1969.

I am unable to identify the statement mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member but information about gonorrhea in West Indians is in the Annual Reports of my Chief Medical Officer. Figures for 1962 and 1969 are not available in these reports but in 1961 27·3 per cent. of the number of cases studied were West Indian males and in 1968 17·2 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what percentage of claimants for supplementary benefits receive written explanations of how their money is worked out;(2) if he will in future give to claimants for supplementary benefits a claimants' wages slip setting out how the benefit is calculated.

The automatic issue of notices in all cases, would involve considerable manpower, and the Commission do not consider that it should take priority over other desirable improvements in the administration of supplementary benefit but they intend to keep the matter under consideration. A written explanation is given to any claimant if he asks for one; the notice giving the Commission's decision on an individual claim makes this clear. A notice explaining the assessment is always issued in specific types of cases, for example where wage-stop is involved, and in others where the assessment is complex. There is no detailed information about the percentage of claimants for supplementary benefit who receive a written explanation of their assessment in one of these ways; this information could not be obtained without keeping special records for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what request he has received from Hampshire County Council for assistance with a pilot scheme for the fluoridation of school and welfare milk; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no such request. The Council shares my view that proposals made by one of its members for the addition of fluoride to school and welfare milk are impracticable. No preventive health measure for reducing dental decay is as effective or as safe as the fluoridation of water supplies.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons with known psychiatric disorders per 10,000 population were in 1968 in receipt of social security benefits in the constituency of Billericay and the county of Essex, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons with known psychiatric disorders per 10,000 population were in 1968 in receipt of social security benefits in the constituency of Bradford, West and the City of Bradford, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons with known psychiatric disorders per 10,000 population were in 1968 in receipt of social security benefits in the constituency of Islington, North and Islington Borough Council, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons with known psychiatric disorders per 10,000 population were in 1968 in receipt of social security benefits in the constituency of Kingston upon Hull, West and the City of Kingston upon Hull, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons with known psychiatric disorders per 10,000 population were in 1968 in receipt of social security benefits in the constituency of Liverpool, Scotland, and the city of Liverpool, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons with known phychiatric disorders per 10,000 population were in 1968 in receipt of social security benefits in the City of Birmingham.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons with known psychiatric disorders per 10,000 population were in 1968 in receipt of social security benefits in the City of Manchester.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons with known psychiatric disorders per 10,000 population were in 1968 in receipt of social security benefits in Barrow-in-Furness.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons with known psychiatric disorders per 10,000 population were in 1968 in receipt of social security benefits in the City of Nottingham.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons with known psychiatric disorders per 10,000 population were in 1968 in receipt of social security benefits in the City of Portsmouth County Borough Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons with known psychiatric disorders per 10,000 population were in 1968 in receipt of social security benefits in Stockport.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons with known psychiatric disorders per 10,000 population were in 1968 in receipt of social security benefits in the constituency of York.

I regret that this information is not available because the psychiatric condition of the claimant is irrelevant for the purpose of most social security benefits.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons per 10,000 population from the constituency of Billericay and the county of Essex, respectively, were in receipt of unemployment benefit during 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons per 10,000 population from the constituency of Bradford, West and the City of Bradford, respectively, were in receipt of unemployment benefit during 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons per 10,000 population from the constituency of Islington, North, and Islington Borough Council, respectively, were in receipt of unemployment benefit during 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons per 10,000 population from the constituency of Kingston upon Hull, West and the City of Kingston upon Hull, respectively, were in receipt of unemployment benefit during 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons per 10,000 population from the constituency of Liverpool, Scotland and the City of Liverpool, respectively, were in receipt of unemployment benefit during 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons per 10,000 population from the City of Birmingham were in receipt of unemployment benefit during 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons per 10,000 population from the City of Manchester were in receipt of unemployment benefit during 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons per 10,000 population from Barrow-in-Furness were in receipt of unemployment benefit during 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons per 10,000 population from the City of Nottingham were in receipt of unemployment benefit during 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons per 10,000 population from the City of Portsmouth County Borough Council were in receipt of unemployment benefit during 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons per 10,000 population from Stockport were in receipt of unemployment benefit during 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons per 10,000 population from the constituency of York were in receipt of unemployment benefit in 1968.

Such statistics as are available are given below. The figures represent, for each area shown, the average number of persons in receipt of unemployment benefit at any one time in 1968, per 10,000 population.

Area	Rate per ten thousand
Billericay	42
Essex (excluding Greater London)	42
Bradford	62
Islington	93
Kingston upon Hull	122
Liverpool	101
Birmingham	79
Manchester	81
Barrow-in-Furness	89
Nottingham	76
Portsmouth	62
Stockport	73
York	59

Figures are not available showing the total number of persons who received unemployment benefit during the year in each area but, taking Great Britain as a whole, the number of such persons was between six and seven times the number of persons in receipt of benefit on any one date.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he authorised the Government Social Survey on behalf of his Department to seek from head and other teachers the details and circumstances of families known by them to be fatherless or motherless for the purpose of interviews.

The Government Social Survey is inquiring on behalf of this Department and the Committee on One-Parent Families into the circumstances of families with children, with particular reference to one-parent families. With my approval and after consultation with the Department of Education and Science, local education authorities were asked to authorise the Government Social Survey to approach head teachers and seek their co-operation in supplying names and addresses of one-parent families in order that a sample might be selected for visiting. It was, of course, made clear to all concerned that co-operation in the inquiry was entirely voluntary, and that in no circumstances would the Government Social Survey pass on information it obtained about individuals to any Government Department, including my own, or other person or organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the working days lost in the constituency of Billericay and the county of Essex, respectively, per 10,000 population due to mental disorders in 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the working days lost in the constituency of Bradford, West and the City of Bradford, respectively, per 10,000 population due to mental disorders in 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the working days lost in the constituency of Islington, North, and Islington Borough Council, respectively, per 10,000 population due to mental disorders in 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the working days lost in the constituency of Kingston upon Hull, West and the City of Kingston upon Hull, respectively, per 10,000 population due to mental disorders in 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what were the working days lost in the constituency of Liverpool, Scotland, and in the City of Liverpool, respectively, per 10,000 population due to mental disorders in 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what were the working days lost in the City of Birmingham per 10,000 population due to mental disorders in 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the working days lost in the City of Manchester per 10,000 population due to mental disorders in 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the working days lost in Barrow-in-Furness per 10,000 population due to mental disorders in 1968.

asked the Secretry of State for Social Services what were the working days lost in the City of Nottingham per 10,000 population due to mental disorders in 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the working days lost in the City of Portsmouth County Borough Council per 10,000 population due to mental disorders in 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the working days lost in Stockport per 10,000 population due to mental disorders in 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the working days lost in the constituency of York per 10,000 population due to mental disorders in 1968.

The table below sets out the available information, which is for regions only. The figures are for men certified as incapable of work for sickness benefit purposes because of a mental disorder. They do not cover the very many short spells of incapacity which are not notified to the Department.

SICKNESS
Days of certified incapacity (a) for men in the period 5th June, 1967 to 1st June, 1968 due to certain causes (b) analysed by area and expressed as a rate per 10,000 men at risk in the relevant area.
Area		Rate per 10,000 men (days)
Great Britain	…	13,318
England:
All regions	…	12,632
Northern	…	16,270
Yorkshire and Humberside	…	13,157
North Western	…	16,445
East Midlands	…	13,493
West Midlands	…	11,846
East Anglia	…	11,795
South Eastern	…	10,639
South Western	…	12,376
Scotland	…	16,279
Wales	…	20,206
(a) Notified in connection with claims for sickness benefit.
(b) DLN. 300–318 and 320–326 according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Injuries and Causes of Death issued by the World Health Organisation in 1957.