asked the President of the Board of Trade how many industrial companies with headquarters in the United Kingdom have subsidiary companies in the European Economic Community.

About 500.

Is it not rather curious that that is the same figure as that given on 2nd May last year? As those 500 on include nearly all Britain's large companies, does not that dispose of the suggestion that if we do not join the Common Market we shall have to set up companies in the Common Market?

It is not without reason that I said "about 500." I was not specific either when I gave the reply last year or this year. About 500 is about right. [Interruption.] I cannot be specific, so it is about 500. It is as simple as that. It is a very small figure in relation to the firms that could be involved, because there are 24,000 British companies.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the growth of international companies is an increasing problem, especially as regards control by the independent Governments? Is it not important that we face this matter when we discuss the question of entry into the Common Market? Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is absolutely essential that there should be a mechanism to control the international companies in the interests of the people as a whole?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for that question. If we were members of the European Economic Community we could, right from the outset, join in the establishment of the European company statute and the setting up of an institutional framework to supervise the European company.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which British industries will profit and which will not profit if Great Britain joins the European Economic Community.

As indicated in the recent White Paper, entry into the European Economic Community will provide both greater opportunities and greater competition for British industry as a whole. But there are too many uncertain factors including the timing and conditions of entry to make it possible to estimate the effects on individual industries.

If the right hon. Gentleman cannot estimate what industries will profit and what industries will lose, how on earth can it be honestly said that entry into the E.E.C. will be profitable? What help are the Government considering for those industries that will not profit, or will lose, by entry? They must have some.

The "about 500" companies with subsidiaries in Europe, that I mentioned in reply to Question No. 1, are already benefiting from having subsidiaries there, but they would benefit much more if we were in the Community. The hon. Gentleman has no doubt read the report of the C.B.I., which is very much in favour of entry.

Is it not the case that it would be our best-organised and most advanced industries that would benefit most from entry into the Common Market? Is not this, therefore, an extra reason for getting on with industrial organisation, because the pay-off will be so great?

Of course, the firms that could respond very vigorously to the new situation in good time are likely to gain most from it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's insistence that it is a good thing to have European subsidiaries mean that the Government have at last been converted to the importance of having overseas investment all over the world?

The hon. Gentleman keeps coming back to overseas investment. I have told him time and time again that it is on the increase. In the three-year period 1966, 1967 and 1968–69 we increased overseas investment by a total of about 22 per cent. The sum of £1,000 million has been invested overseas during that time. A great deal of investment is taking place in this country, and that would not go into the E.E.C. either.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has formed of the cost to the British Airports Authority and to British airline operators of the strike of firemen at London Airport, Heathrow.

It is not possible to give an authoritative figure at this stage. but the net income loss to the British Airports Authority and the Air Corporations together may be of the order of £½ million. This figure includes an estimate of earnings foregone as well as various extra costs. I have no figures for British independent or foreign airlines.

Is the Minister aware that the country has some cause to be grateful to those who helped to ensure that the loss was not a great deal more than the figure he has given? Would he agree that it is intolerable that a small group of politically-motivated men should be able to hold the public to ransom in this way?

Everyone would agree with the hon. Gentleman's proposition, and would look forward to a happy outcome of the extant inquiry.

Would it not be as well if workers like these were treated as generously and expeditiously as the chairmen of nationalised boards, such as Aubrey Jones? If they were treated on the same basis, there would be no strikes.

All workers, whatever their function and status, should be treated generously and expeditiously.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is his practice to consult the appropriate local authorities before approving changes in air traffic routes.

Not in every case.

Is the Minister aware that there is a good deal of confusion about his intentions regarding the routes to be followed by traffic taking off from Heathrow in a westerly direction? Will he undertake to make his intentions known in detail to all local authorities affected and to all hon. Members representing constituencies in the area? Will he confirm that he is willing for his Department to be represented at any public meetings which may be held to discuss these proposals?

The hon. Gentleman and most hon. Members know my attitude on the general question of consultation. As regards the specific route which he has in mind, I am studying this with a view to deciding what kind of consultation would be appropriate. I have deputed a member of my Department to attend a public meeting in the past, and I would study any request for doing so in the future.

Does any legal obligation rest on my right hon. Friend to consult any of the local authorities which may be affected by changes in air routes?

I do not think there is a legal obligation; but, nevetheless, I regard it very much as an obligation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the length of time between his taking action to prevent the dumping of nitrogenous fertilisers and the making of a formal complaint to him.

The anti-dumping application was dated 22nd December. The first Order imposing provisional charges was made on 13th February and came into operation on 20th February.

is the Minister aware that it seems possible to get much quicker action taken over the dumping of chemicals and things of this sort than over the dumping of food? Why does the hon. Lady's Department seem much keener to protect British chemical manufacturers than British farmers?

What seems obvious is that it is very difficult to get over to hon. Members opposite that this is not so. There have been two applications in respect of agricultural and horticultural products since the anti-dumping laws were altered. The rape seed—which is a facinating thought—application was made on 14th August, 1968. The Board advertised its acceptance for investigation on the 30th, and provisional antidumping charges were imposed on 30th November. There are not different criteria for industrial goods and agricultural produce, and hon. Members opposite do not assist either the farming community or themselves by continually saying that there are.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further representations have been made to him since his decision concerning the choice of site for the National Exhibition Centre; and what replies he has sent.

Since my decision to support the National Exhibition Centre proposals of the Birmingham City Council and the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I have received representations on the proposed location of the project from a wide range of interests and my replies have been based on the statement I made in the House on 28th January last.—[Vol. 794, c. 1534–8.]

Has not there been a remarkable volume of protest about the siting of this National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham? Surely, when siting the shop, the shopkeeper should have regard to the customers' and not to his own interests?

I think that initially that is right. But a lot of people have since talked to the Birmingham local authority and Chamber of Commerce, and my impression is that the opposition is on the wane.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has made a most excellent decision? Much preparatory work has been done and the financial and other support of the Birmingham Corporation and Birmingham Chamber of Commerce has started the venture efficiently and enthusiastically.

I am obliged to the hon. Lady for her comment. The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and local authority are pressing ahead with their application. I have already seen some of the sketch plans.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why greater use is not made of the Decca twin-track procedure promulgated in Notice to Airmen No. 763 issued on 11th November, 1969.

Only a minority of aircraft are at present fitted with the necessary equipment.

What steps is the Minister taking to encourage more airline operators to fit this equipment and thus enable greater use to be made of air space and create more efficient management of air traffic control?

I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the Decca area navigation system. Decca was among the pioneers in this field. We have in the past given considerable support to its efforts by seeking the international acceptance of this system, and we continue to do so. We advocate its use at every possible opportunity.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied with the adequacy of official figures about stock accumulation by manufacturing industry and the distributive trades; what was the change during 1964; and how this compares with the changes in 1969 and to date this year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what recent examination he has made of the need for adequate official figures about stock accumulation by the distributive trades; and if he will make a statement.

I believe that the statistics give a reasonable indication of the movements in stockbuilding by the distributive trades which is an appreciable and variable component of total demand. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology is responsible for statistics of stocks held by manufacturing industry.

Is the Minister aware that he contradicted himself on 25th February? In col. 1180 of the OFFICIAL REPORT he said that distributive trade stocks increased in the first three quarters, and in col. 1181 he said that they had decreased. There is a good deal of confusion, although apparently the stocks rose in the last quarter. Can he state what the position is now and what the trend is for 1970?

The hon. Gentleman should not pull me up too sharply. He should check whether it is volume or value, or 1963 prices or post-devaluation prices. There can be a lot of confusion, as I recognise. Stocks held by the distributive trades are high by past standards in relation to economic activity. The relation of the stocks to the gross domestic product increased sharply during 1968 to a peak in the first quarter of 1969. Although it has fallen since, it remains higher than the average in most earlier years, including 1964.

The right hon. Gentleman will be aware from our correspondence that I believe that the replies which he gave on 25th February were, to say the least, misleading. However that may be, should he not use consistent language? If his publications refer to "value at constant 1963 prices", should he not use that expression in answering questions in the House instead of talking about volume?

It is very difficult to change a practice which has been in being for a long time, especially when one has to go through the official stocks figures, as the hon. Gentleman has done. But the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. J. H. Osborn) has a Question down for Written Answer this afternoon. The reply is lengthy, and all the figures will be in it.

Would my right hon. Friend consider setting up an inquiry to consider why we have held, and do hold, in this country a higher ratio of stocks to the gross domestic product than most of our industrial competitors in the world? This is very much more important than the points which hon. Members opposite are trying to make so much of.

I do not think that an inquiry is necessary. If my hon. Friend tables a Question or raises the matter in an Adjournment debate, we can give him adequate information.

The Minister's reply to the Question was most misleading. May I press him on the fact that the ratio of stocks to the gross domestic product in this country is very much higher than that of our competitors? Is he content with this situation? If not, what does he intend to do about it?

I do not see any reason to do anything about it at the moment. It is high in relation to economic activity in the country; but that is not necessarily a bad thing. It depends how high the percentage is.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that the number of night flights from Gatwick will not exceed the number of night flights from Heathrow in 1971.

The number of night movements at Gatwick are likely to be much less than at Heathrow both during the summer and during the whole of 1971. The numbers of jet movements only will depend upon the restrictions imposed at both airports in the summer of 1971.

The Minister is aware that I was referring to jet night movements in 1971. Why should people who live near Gatwick have to suffer from jet night movements more than people who live near Heathrow? When will the Minister be able to give a firm date for the number of jet night movements from Gatwick in 1971?

As the hon. Member knows, I have put in hand a review which will come to a conclusion about the number of night jet movements from Gatwick which should be allowed from 1971 onwards. Heathrow, as the Wilson Committee recognised, is unique in the number of its users and the number of people affected by flights to and from it.

Will my right hon. Friend pledge himself to resist all attempts to restrict the expansion of Britain's air services?

I pledge myself only to keep in proper balance the national need for air services and the needs of amenity. Both must be considered. I hope that the review which I have put in hand will give us a pilot scheme on which to base any decisions that may be required at other airports.

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the letters he has sent to British independent airlines referring to licensing restrictions on trans-Atlantic charter flights if they do not voluntarily limit their inclusive-tour flights to a prescribed percentage of incoming scheduled flights; and by what authority he imposes such restrictions in the absence of any appeal from a decision of the Air Transport Licensing Board.

The letters did not refer to any United Kingdom restrictions upon United Kingdom airlines. They informed interested British airlines of policies in Europe towards trans-Atlantic inclusive tour charter flights by foreign carriers and mentioned quantitative controls under our Air Navigation Order permits, which do not apply to aircraft registered in the United Kingdom. It would not help British operators to publish letters consulting them regarding foreign competitors and possible dealings with foreign countries.

Am I not right in saying that at least some of the letters enjoined the operators not to put on more charter flights than would be represented by 60 per cent., or some other definite percentage, of the total number of scheduled flights over the North Atlantic?

I do not think that that is quite so. The letters were common form: they were intended to be information for the operators and an indication to them of the guidelines which the European countries generally had in mind and to which we adhere. The hon. Gentleman mentioned a figure of 60 per cent. I should like to look a little more deeply into that. The figure I have in mind is 1 per cent. of scheduled flights in a preceding season.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that charter operators in the United States, including foreign operators, stand accused of some 70,000 violations of the regulations laid down by the Civil Aeronautics Board? Will he bear in mind that some of the violations have been committed by one of the prominent British independent carriers, Caledonian Airways? Will he make sure that the Air Transport Licensing Board is fully aware of these violations before further decisions are taken?

I am sure that the A.T.L.B. will bear all appropriate considerations in mind.

Will the hon. Gentleman remember that what his hon. Friend has mentioned are accusations, that there has been no hearing and there have been no findings?

The hearings are pending.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to extend the concept and use of area navigation for aircraft both nationally and internationally.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which I gave to Questions from my hon. Friend the Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Leslie Huckfield) on 2nd December, 1969, and 20th January, 1970. Efforts to obtain international acceptance of the need for area navigation capability for civil aviation and to establish an international standard are continuing. Progress nationally is largely dependent on this but there is already limited approval to the use of area navigation systems here and in the United States.—[Vol. 792,cols. 278–9; and Vol. 794, cols. 109–10.]

Particularly in view of the spread of these systems in the United States, will the right hon. Gentleman consider offering some incentive to operators of aircraft flying into or out of the United Kingdom to fit this equipment? As it enables them to take advantage of weather conditions and so on, if they are assured that they will be given the advantage of priorities in landing and taking off if using this equipment, that will offset the economic cost.

I take note of what the hon. Gentleman said. We have done everything we can, and continue to do so, to popularise to all our foreign partners the advantages of this system. I will see what further steps we can take.

Will my right hon. Friend recall that last year there were 38 collisions and about 2,000 near-misses in the United States alone and that this confirms that there is a danger, not least in this country, arising from aircraft not having this precision area coverage facility?

I do not think that those two facts can be too closely related.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to bring check trading within the legislation governing the control of hire-purchase and of hiring.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce further legislation on consumer credit protection; and if he will make a statement.

I think we should first await the report of the Crowther Committee.

Is the hon. Lady aware that with the present severity of the hire-purchase controls the practice of check trading is growing notwithstanding the Chancellor's appeal for restraint which he made in December, 1967, and that this is causing great difficulty to many retailers? If we are to have such laws, ought they not to be applied fairly to all?

I have some sympathy with the hon. Gentleman's point of view. There is no doubt that old established traders who do not go in for this form of trading are suffering and that it is used as a means of evading hire-purchase controls. This is something of which we are aware. As soon as we have the Report of the Crowther Committee, we will study how best we may put its views into operation.

Will my hon. Friend ensure that special attention is given to the disgraceful racket of second mortgages, particularly among the type of small finance company which takes advantage of young couples who, for instance, need to borrow a deposit towards buying a house and who are charged extortionate rates which are frequently obscured by all sorts of means so that people do not really know what sort of rate they are paying?

I realise that particularly young couples, when under enormous pressure to find accommodation, will occasionally enter what are unsatisfactory agreements. I hope that people will take care before signing these agreements. I must say that we are keeping a close watch on this type of development.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the Report of the Crowther Committee on Consumer Credit.

Within the next six months.

Has the committee commissioned any special studies of check trading or other matters within its terms of reference? If so, will those studies be published in advance of the committee's report?

I do not think that there will be any studies published in advance of the report but the committee will be taking into consideration the problem of check trading.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the work of the economic development committee for hotels and catering.

Reports on the work carried out by the Hotel and Catering Economic Development Committee are published from time to time by the National Economic Development Office. I understand that copies of these publications are available in the Library.

What progress has been made towards implementing a feasibility study for a nationwide system of computerised reservations? If occupancy could be increased by improved reservation systems would not that be of assistance to profitability and therefore an incentive to investment in the industry?

This is the sort of development which we are hoping to see very soon. A considerable amount of activity is taking place and we hope to be able to bring some definite news to the House before long.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to assist in reducing the present problems of small businesses.

The problems of small firms are currently being examined by a committee of inquiry, with Mr. John E. Bolton as chairman, which was appointed by my right hon. Friend the former President of the Board of Trade. When we receive its report we will consider what steps should be taken.

Would not the hon. Lady agree that small business men in every part of the British economy are being affected by the Government's policy of squeeze? As the President of the Board of Trade is responsible for hire-purchase restrictions and regulations, when will he relax them? That does not have to wait until the Budget.

We must not add two and two and make five and a half.

Will the Committee be inquiring into the position of the small shopkeeper, particularly in working-class areas, who has a major problem and who sometimes works extremely long hours for very little return?

I see no reason why evidence should not be taken about the position of small shopkeepers as they would come within the terms of reference and might be precisely the sort of people that we have in mind for this study.

Is the hon. Lady aware that the unavailability of credit for expansion and investment is one of the serious inhibiting factors on small businesses, particularly industrial businesses? Will she have a word with her right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to see what he can do to help in this respect?

I am aware that the hon. Member has been waxing eloquent on the fact that the Government make available particularly cheap money for export and that he has expressed disapproval of this. I draw to his attention the fact that by using these methods we assist small businesses to export.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to regulate the sale of property bonds.

The Board of Trade is examining, in consultation with interested bodies, the desirability and practicability of legislation extending control over property bonds.

Why is it taking so long to draw up relatively simple regulations to protect the small investor? Does there have to be a major public scandal in this sector before the Government act?

That is a totally unjustifiable suggestion. The hon. Member should know that all firms which sell any form of life assurance are already covered by existing Acts and can be controlled by the existing powers of the Board of Trade. It is precisely because we feel that property bonds create other difficulties that we are having talks with the people who have detailed knowledge in the industry with a view to seeing whether any alteration of the law is needed.

Since, however, the Board of Trade now has 18,000 civil servants and very few responsibilities, would it not be possible for the hon. Lady to get on and do something about this important matter?

The hon. Member, who spends most of his time being peevish about the success story of the Board of Trade, must try occasionally to rise above doing so. There is no doubt in my mind that the detailed work that is being done in this direction will, when we get the results, be precisely the sort of consumer protection for which the Board of Trade is becoming very well known.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he now has for providing incentives for investment by the service industries.

I have no proposals at the present time for further incentives.

Since, under the old system of investment allowances, the service industries shared this advantage with manufacturing industry, whereas they now get no advantage comparable to the investment grant to manufacturing industry, what proposals does the right hon. Gentleman have for redressing this unfairness?

I thought that the service industries had done very well, because they get tax allowances if they haxe expenditure on plant and machinery, they get Local Employment Act assistance if they are large service industries in development areas, they get investment grants if they purchase new computers or ships, the shipping companies have considerably benefited and in the case of hotels we have given incentives for hotel development also.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet received the report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Sea-Search and Rescue in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

We have just received the Report and are at present studying it. I propose to have copies prepared and make them available to hon. Members and will then make a statement.

In thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that there seems to have been confusion and duplication in this field during recent months, with the result that sometimes men engaged in this important and valuable service have spent many hours trying to be of assistance but in the event have been able to achieve nothing? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider this seriously?

I think that that point will be covered generally by the report.

As there seem to be an enormous number of committees in progress under the Board of Trade, may I ask whether we could be given a list of the committees now in action and their terms of reference, and when we are likely to have reports? Every Question is answered by the various Ministers by saying that reports are being prepared or investigations or inquiries are being made. I am sick of inquiries. I want a little more action.

Perhaps the hon. Lady will put down a Question indicating exactly what she requires.

I have just said what I want.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received the report of the inquiry into the Fraserburgh lifeboat disaster; and if he will make a statement.

The Royal National Life-Boat Institution has sent me a copy of its own confidential inquiry into the disaster. In view of the public concern over this disaster my right hon. Friend has decided to order a formal investigation into the accident to the lifeboat under Section 466 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. The Royal National Life-Boat Institution has told me that it would welcome this.

Is the Minister aware that this is a wise decision which will be widely welcomed, particularly in the North-East of Scotland, and not least by those connected with the lifeboat service?

I am sure that that is the general view, particularly in Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he next proposes to meet the Committee on Invisible Exports.

No date has yet been arranged.

When the President next meets the committee, will he tell them that he is now prepared to publish the figures for Government invisibles separately from private invisibles? Will he also agree to publish separate figures for the different branches of invisible earnings, because there is a woeful lack of information to the public at the present time concerning invisibles?

I am doing what I can to help the invisible exporter and, indeed, publicising our efforts more than they have ever been publicised before. The hon. Member is, however, a little out of date. He will notice that the breakdown of invisible earnings between the private and the Government sectors is now shown in both the quarterly and the annual balance of payments statistics. We cannot get the returns fast enough for it to be done monthly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many public relations officers are now employed in his Department; and how many were employed on 31st March, 1964.

There is no separate grade or class of public relations officer, the duties being included in those of the information officer class. There are at present 40 of this class employed in the Board's Information Division. On 31st March, 1964, there were 26.

Can the President explain why it has been necessary to double the selling when he is doing half the business?

The hon. Gentleman should do his arithmetic a little better than that. My hon. Friend has reminded him of his rather peevish, niggling, anti-Government and particularly anti-Beard of Trade manner. He should have bothered to have seen the extent to which it was necessary to increase the information officer class. In 1964 the Board of Trade became the E.F.T.A. centre for Whitehall and since then we have taken over the whole of the shipping division, all marine affairs and the vast field of civil aviation, and we have increased activities in export promotion. Those are the reasons for the increase in the number of officers.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there can be no valid criticism of the increase in numbers? Especially as it would appear that the Opposition spend the whole of their time in denigrating the good work that the Department is doing, is it not important that the public should know the truth about the fine work that the Department is getting on with?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for that remark. I always feel that we are extremely reticent and modest in what we are doing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the progress in his investigation of alleged offences by Herel Investments Ltd.; and whether he will make a statement.

The inquiries by the Board of Trade under Section 109 or the Companies Act, 1967, in relation to Herel Investments Ltd. have taken longer than expected and are not yet complete. Proceedings have had to be taken against a former officer of the company for failure to produce its books and papers. In the meantime, the Board of Trade and the police are pursuing their inquiries regarding the company.

Will the hon. Lady pursue this matter really vigorously, although realise that it is complicated, because my constituents and others who appear to have been defrauded are anxious not only for redress themselves but for restraint upon any further business acivitities by the head of Herel Investments, Dr. Fifield?

I am aware of the difficulties facing some of the hon. Member's constituents and I assure him that we are taking active steps to assist them. He will have realised from my Answer that proceedings have already been started.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make an official visit to Turnhouse Airport, Edinburgh.

I have no plans to visit Turnhouse in the near future.

I remind my right hon. Friend of the many thousands of visitors who will come to Edinburgh for the Commonwealth Games, is he aware that many of the industrial troubles which occurred at Turnhouse last year are, unfortunately, likely to recur? Some of us have great sympathy with the people who work there and feel that they should be paid the same rates as those who work at Prestwick and other B.A.A. airports.

I am aware of the difficulties at Turnhouse. I gather that negotiations on rates of pay and so on are in progress, and I think that we had better leave it at that at this stage.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the terminal facilities are a scandal? It is a virtual slum in which both workers and passengers are having to be kept. It is like a cattle market when an incoming plane is delayed by half an hour. Will he look into this and get things moving during the next financial year?

I am aware of the difficulties, especially in the light of the fact that the Commonwealth Games will probably cause more traffic at Turnhouse. But I hope that the improvements already in hand will alleviate most of these difficulties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for transferring airports under his control to the control of the British Airports Authority.

There is only one proposal before me. I have no other plans.

Has not the B.A.A. got the expertise and know-how to cope with the problems to which my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) referred on Question 25? Is my right hon. Friend aware that some of us are more concerned with staff conditions even than with the passenger conditions, which, as my hon. Friend said, are bad enough?

I am satisfied that the B.A.A. has the expertise and knowledge and I hope I shall be able to announce a decision about Turnhouse's future after the reappraisal of the future of the runway has been concluded.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what insurance cover against damage to the public is required of foreign aircraft operating into Great Britain.

None by United Kingdom legislation, but apart from any requirement which the laws of his own country may place upon him the responsible foreign operator will of course make provision against the absolute and unlimited liability imposed by Section 40(2) of the Civil Aviation Act, 1949.

If a foreign operator prefers to take a risk and go bust if he does have a serious crash, surely that Act will not bite on him.

Responsible operators, I am glad to say, are very greatly in the majority. I know of no case where action has been taken under Section 40 of the 1949 Act in which there has not been full satisfaction for the people in this country. However, I agree that the situation is not entirely satisfactory. It turns on our success and the success of others in obtaining international agreement on how to effect improvements.

My right hon. Friend has twice qualified his answer by the use of the term "responsible private operators". Does he not agree that there is also the problem of the increasing use of light aircraft, not necessarily foreign, which have in recent months appeared to have been involved in near-misses?

My hon. Friend refers to privately-owned light aircraft in this country. That is another matter. Perhaps he would care to put down a Question.

The right hon. Gentleman implied that there was some difficulty in enforcement. Surely it is perfectly easy to enforce regulations of this sort by simply impounding an aircraft not covered by insurance that lands in this country.

That could be done, but I wonder whether the hon. Gentleman and I would agree when assessing the repercussions of so acting. My reaction is that it might lead to a good deal of difficulty—even more difficulty than is implied in the not entirely satisfactory present situation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if it is his policy to encourage barter deals in order to promote growth of exports; and if he will make a statement.

We gain from being paid wherever possible in money rather than in goods. But when firms need to enter into barter deals in order to secure export orders, the full range of normal Government services is available to them.

One appreciates the difficulty of laying down firm rules in such cases, particularly when it depends, for example, on the ability of a person selling an aircraft to dispose of millions of tons of apples, but is there not evidence, in the amount of trade being done by international competitors in this direction, that we are perhaps losing trade because of additional help being given by foreign Governments to their exporters in this direction?

We have no definitive statistics on this point. British firms quite often enter into barter deals not brought to our attention because there is no reason why they should be. In a situation where a firm is likely to lose a contract altogether if it does not enter a barter deal, it is up to that firm to judge on commercial grounds whether it is worth accepting the terms offered. If we found that it was causing difficulty for businessmen we would be prepared to look at any evidence my hon. Friend has.

Where goods come to this country as a result of a barter deal with a Communist country, do the anti-dumping laws apply in the same way as to other imports?

Many such goods coming to this country are controlled by quota and anything brought into this country is subject to the normal legislation, which includes anti-dumping provisions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken following the Duncan Report to promote trade in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The emphasis of our trade promotion in these areas has not changed since the Government received the Duncan Report in July, 1969.

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that, as far as his Department is concerned, the sections of the report dealing with such areas were crassly shortsighted and are completely dead and buried, and that the Department will take every opportunity to promote British exports to these future vitally important markets?

We certainly do not accept the sharp distinctions in the Duncan Report. Our trade promotion efforts continue to be supported in these markets. Since the report came out last July, a total of 38 missions have been approved by the British National Export Council to these areas.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree, in addition to the point that a growing body of opinion thinks that this aspect of the Duncan Report is completely on the wrong lines, that, instead of trying to turn our diplomatic service into business, far more would be achieved by giving our businessmen and salesmen greater tax incentives to be exporters?

I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman himself went on the wrong tack at the end of his supplementary question. It is right that more of our representatives abroad should be commercially-minded. I am satisfied that, with the 210 such posts that we now have abroad, a change has taken place to the benefit of our exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the total increase during the past five years in British exports to, and imports from, each of the following countries, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya; what has been the percentage change in the United Kingdom's share of these markets; and whether he will make a statement.

With permission, I will publish the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT. In total, United Kingdom exports to these countries increased by over 80 per cent. and imports from them by about 50 per cent.; our share in their imports remained unchanged at 28 per cent.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that, with some notable exceptions, British industry has been too lax about getting in on the ground floor of these rapidly expanding markets? Will he do everything possible to promote British trade with Africa north of the Zambesi?

That we are doing. We are providing an export service to British exporters which is unparalleled in the world.

In view of my right hon. Friend's statement, which we welcome, indicating a vast expansion of our trade with new Commonwealth countries, what is all this nonsense about the Common Market?

My right hon. Friend does not appreciate that many of these developing countries will not and cannot for some time be able to take sophisticated manufactured goods from an advanced industrial country like ourselves.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give responsibility to the Civil Aviation and Development Programme Board, or to another board, in view of advances in civil aviation equipment, to co-ordinate, develop and promote civil aviation, including airports and airport facilities, for conventional take-off and landing, vertical take-off and landing, and short take-off and landing aircraft in the provinces, and the pattern of internal airline services.

No, Sir. The development and promotion of civil aviation is the responsibility of the Board of Trade. The Civil Aviation Research and Development Board has been set up to co-ordinate research and development for civil aviation equipment other than aircraft engines. As the hon. Member is aware we propose to introduce legislation to set up a Civil Aviation Authority to be responsible for economic and safety regulatory functions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the decision not to proceed with an airport at Todwick means that neither Barnsley nor Sheffield are on the air map? What steps will he take to promote facilities to encourage internal scheduled airline services for provincial cities, using S.T.O.L., V.T.O.L. and other light aircraft?

The Civil Aviation Research and Development Board, whose function I tried to define, does not engage in research. It endeavours to pull together, in its reports, the efforts and

Would my right hon. Friend agree that many of the advances advocated in the hon. Gentleman's Question are now proceeding at Glasgow Airport and would proceed more quickly if it were not for the hindering tactics of the British Airports Authority?

I cannot accept my hon. Friend's conclusion, but I agree that some very interesting and useful experimentation and accomplishments have taken place at Glasgow Airport.

May we be assured that, in regard to the studies which are being carried on by the Ministry of Technology into V.T.O.L. and S.T.O.L. potential, his Department and, perhaps even more particularly, the Ministry of Housing, are in close contact throughout, because these matters are much more widely important than simply the Ministry of Technology?

I can give that assurance. I know how close the co-ordination is between my Department and the Ministry of Technology. I have no doubt that the Ministry of Housing is also closely concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the recent increase in the number of debts sent by businesses for collection by trade protection societies; and what action he proposes to take.

Yes, Sir. I have, however, received no recent or significant complaint about trade protection societies, and I do not contemplate any action at the present time.

Since the rate of business failures is rising alarmingly, and many trade creditors are losing their money, would the hon. Lady consider whether it is not right to redefine the term "fradulent trading", since many people are trading much too long, even though, under the present restrictive definition, it is impossible to bring them to book?

I am prepared to look at this point, because it astonishes me how easily people appear to obtain long lines of credit when it must be obvious that they cannot pay.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the outcome of the European civil aviation meeting in Paris on 3rd March.

Yes, Sir.

Has a security committee been set up at Heathrow as a result of this meeting? Can the hon. Gentleman shed any light on new screening procedures which may have been introduced?

Measures had already been taken at Heathrow broadly on the lines, and in some respects overtaking the lines, indicated by the emergency meeting in Europe.

Are the Government pressing ahead, in accordance with the assurance of the Foreign Secretary in the House, with an arrangement among the Powers concerned to hold responsible every Government which allows on its soil the preparation of criminal attacks on civil aviation?

I think that my hon. Friend should follow that up with my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, who has declared the Government's broad intention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will hold an inquiry into the takeover of Handley Page Limited by the Cravens Corporation.

My hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Technology explained in the debate on 12th March why the Board of Trade does not consider that an inquiry would be justified.

Is the hon. Lady aware that there are shareholders who are very anxious about the fact that, when the receiver was appointed on 3rd August last year, no statement of affairs as at that date was produced, as required under Section 372 and Section 373 of the Companies Act, 1948, and that the first statement of affairs appeared on 30th November and that they regard this as inadequate and inaccurate? Is there anything which she can do to help them?

We have at present no evidence to enable us to act under the Companies Act, but I am prepared to look at any extra evidence which the hon. Gentleman brings to my attention.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the workers in this industry, particularly in this firm, are gravely concerned at events and at the fact that they have not been properly compensated and that money is owing? They are asking for a public inquiry. Will she not look into this matter again?

I sympathise with any workers involved in the liquidation of a company for which they have worked for a considerable time, because they face considerable difficulties. I am afraid that the Companies Acts do not give us any powers which we could possibly use in this sort of field. Under our present powers, we have no justification for interfering at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about his visit to Romania.

I visited Romania from 9th to 11th March at the invitation of Mr. Burtica, the Romanian Minister of Foreign Trade. I had very useful discussons with a number of senior Romanian Ministers on a variety of trade issues of mutual interest and, in particular, on the prospects for the continued expansion of British exports to Romania.

May I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the considerable increase in trade between ourselves and Romania, which I believe shows the most sophisticated increase of all Comecon countries. How much increase is likely in the current year in our trade with Romania? Would my right hon. Friend follow up this highly successful visit with other East European visits, so that we may show a similar increase in trade with those countries?

Trade is increasing between ourselves and East European countries, and my hon. Friend is right to draw attention to it. Total trade between ourselves and Romania has doubled in the past three years and our exports have trebled in that time. There is £80 million-worth of irrigation projects under discussion and £30 million-worth of aircraft projects.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement about the stage which Euro Control has reached in evaluating the comparative merits of the hyperbolic area coverage and vertical omni-range and directional area coverage air navigation systems.

The first phase of trials of a hyperbolic area coverage system has been completed and a report is in process of completion. Trials of a vertical omni-range and directional system are due to start later this year.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that, with the increasing rise in civil aviation, the fixed beacon system alone is no longer adequate? Would he make representations to this effect to his European colleagues?

I do not agree that it is inadequate. I agree that it is right for us to press for an area navigation system, partly for maximum utilisation of air space, and partly for safe separation.

Is my hon. Friend aware that both B.O.A.C. and B.E.A. are already fitted with this equipment? What steps will be take to extend the fitting and requirement for fitting of this equipment to the independent sector of British aviation?

It is true that substantial sections of the British airline industry are fitted with this system. We constantly point to its advantages, but it is commercially for the operators to decide whether they can usefully add this to their equipment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the management trustees of the Airways Corporations Joint Pension Scheme have refused to convene a meeting of members as required by statutory regulations when requested by any 50 members; and if he will take steps to ensure that a meeting is duly held.

I am aware of the complaint made against the management trustees of this scheme. This is not a matter in which we could properly intervene, as we have no responsibility for the administration of the scheme. The complainants might like to seek legal advice.

But is the hon. Gentleman aware that the regulations passed by this House specifically state that the trustees must—I repeat, "must"—convene a meeting if they are asked to do so by 50 of the members? Is he further aware that a requisition signed by over 2,000 members was sent to the management trustees last July, which is now nine months ago, and that no meeting has been held, because the trustees refuse to convene one? If it is not possible for him to take some action about this, will he please consider what can be done?

It is not possible for my right hon. Friend to take direct action. I take note of what the hon. Gentleman has said. I will inquire as to the reasons for this delay. Perhaps that may help, together with the fact that the hon. Gentleman has raised the question and I have answered it in the way I have.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the minimum height requirements for aircraft proceeding over the Borough of Bebington along the flight-path approaches to Speke Airport; on how many occasions in the past six months these requirements have not been fulfilled; and what steps he will take to minimise the risk to householders, factories, power generating plant and oil storage tanks within the borough.

No specific minimum heights are required in the case of aircraft flying over Bebington in the course of landing or practising approaches to landing at Speke airport in accordance with normal aviation practice; no unusual risk exists in the borough in so far as such operations are concerned and it is not proposed to introduce any special restrictions.

Does not my right hon. Friend recognise that in this area some extremely volatile petro-chemical products are stored, there is a vast amount of industry and the population are very apprehensive about the possibility of accidents? Is he also aware that in the last six months there has been a considerable increase in the number of inquiries and complaints that have been received, including one to the effect that an aircraft narrowly missed the chimney of a local power station?

I am interested in what my hon. Friend says about complaints and inquiries. These must have been local. I have not received at the Board of Trade any complaints or representations from the area. This does not mean of course that there are not keen apprehensions among the people, and my hon. Friend might wish later to have a word with me about this.