asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to reduce income tax.

My right hon. Friend will bring his proposals before the House at the appropriate time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much he anticipates reducing Government expenditure in the current financial year; in what fields these reductions will take place; when and to what extent he anticipates reducing taxation in the current year; in which fields of taxation these reductions will take place; and when he expects to commence these reductions.

On Government spending: we are reviewing the existing plans for public expenditure and my right hon. Friend will make a statement to the House after the Recess. On taxation: my right hon. Friend will announce his detailed proposals at the appropriate time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will make a statement on his proposals concerning taxation in general and selective employment tax in particular; and when he will implement these proposals;(2) in view of the large surplus on the balance of payments account and the fact that the economy is buoyant, what proposals he has for reducing direct and indirect taxation.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give for the latest and most convenient stated date the estimated cost to the revenue of the abolition of selective employment tax; what is his estimate of the revenue obtainable from a value-added tax to off-set the loss from the ending of selective employment tax; and what is the Government's policy in this matter.

The Budget Estimate of the net yield of S.E.T. in the current financial year is £588 million. The revenue obtainable from a value added tax would depend on the rates and coverage. My right hon. Friend will announce the Government's taxation plans at the appropriate time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to evaluate the economic effects of selective employment tax.

In view of my right hon. Friend's pledge to abolish S.E.T. I do not think it necessary to initiate any further studies of the tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide an estimate of the revenue to be obtained from the National Coal Board by levying a value-added tax of 10 per cent. on the industry.

If a value-added tax were charged at 10 per cent. on the National Coal Board's purchases as well as on its sales, the net tax to be obtained from the National Coal Board, on the basis of the board's account for 1968–69, would have been about £50 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy with regard to the future parity of sterling.

My policy is so to order our economic affairs that the parity is not in doubt.

asked the Chancellor what specific plans he has in mind for reducing the cost of living within the next 12 months.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro) and Loughborough (Mr. Cronin).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the net incomes after tax

The figures are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the shortfall in revenue to the Treasury due to the number of motorists who do not pay their road fund licences; and whether, as a means of ensuring a more equitable form of taxation and to reduce the pressure on the roads, he will introduce a system of nominal registration of vehicles on a fixed charge basis and an increase in the petrol tax to compensate for the loss of revenue from the abolished road tax licence.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the problem of evasion. The answer to the second part of the Question is No.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimates he has made of the effect on rents of abolition of housing subsidies except for the disabled and elderly.

The effect of recasting housing subsidies on the rents paid by council tenants would depend on the changes made, the rent rebates available and the rent policies of individual authorities.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will introduce a national rent rebate scheme and take steps to compel local authorities to charge rents based on it.

My right hon. Friend is considering how housing subsidies should be recast, and rent rebates are under study in that connection.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give an assurance that loan sanction will be granted in 1971–72 for the construction of the swimming pool proposed by Bishop's Stortford.

It is too soon to settle next year's programme but preparation of this scheme is going ahead in consultation with the Department.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will review the formula for Government grant towards the cost of strengthening tower blocks of flats in order to relieve the burden being carried by certain local authorities through no fault of their own.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is his policy on the settlement of financial matters connected with the Ronan Point disaster and the grant to the London Borough of Newham; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has carefully studied the representations made to him. He is satisfied that the settlement made by the previous Government is one that he should not disturb.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the number of persons on the housing waiting list in the London Borough of Brent, the number of homeless families in hostel accommodation, the number awaiting transfer and the number of dwellings owned by the council fit for occupation but at present untenanted.

I understand that there are at present 8,226 applicants on the waiting list. There are 134 homeless families of whom 41 are in hostel accommodation, the remainder being temporarily housed in property owned by the council or voluntary organisations. There are 1,201 families awaiting transfer to other council dwellings and 557 dwellings, of which some 500 are in Chalkhill, which are fit but untenanted.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is his estimate of the cost to a local authority of a council flat costing £4,000 to build after interest has been paid for 60 years at the current Public Work Loan Board rate, and of the cost after interest for 60 years at the subsidised rate of 4 per cent.; and what these sums mean in terms of weekly rent.

I have no information which is not available to the hon. Member for making this hypothetical calculation, which appears to me to have no practical significance.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now announce his decision regarding the application for planning permission made by Coalite and Chemicals Limited in respect of industrial development at Rossington.

My right hon. Friend hopes to issue his decision within the next few days.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement of his proposals to allow the sale of council-owned housing to sitting tenants; and if he will take steps to ensure that these houses are not resold to the highest bidder and to those with less social need.

I have removed the previous restrictions on the sale of council houses, so that now all authorities have consent to dispose of council houses as they think fit. Authorities can impose conditions preventing resale for five years at a figure above the purchase price and reserving the right of pre-emption for the same period.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement on the Government's housing policy; and what special help and assistance will be given to areas such as Newham.

I would refer the hon. Member to the passage on housing in the speech of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on the first day of the debate on the Address.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement on the Government's plans and proposals regarding house building for sale and to let and for the public and private sector.

The Government are faced with a steeply declining house-building programme in both the public and private sector. The number of houses started in the first five months of this year is 18,588 fewer than the corresponding months of 1969 and 55,237 fewer than in 1964. The Government are also faced with steeply rising costs of both land and building. The Government have made plain their intention to pursue policies aimed at improving this difficult position.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will take steps concerning labour-only subcontracting in the construction industry.

I have this matter under consideration, and I hope to be able to make a statement in the neat future.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will take action to remove the bungalows at the Netheroyd Hill Pre-fabricated Housing Estate in Huddersfield in view of their condition, and the representations made to him by the Huddersfield Local Authority; and if he will make a statement.

Of the 49 houses on this estate, 16 have already been removed and eight are currently being dismantled. Thirteen more have been sold and will be removed by mid-August. The remaining 12 houses have yet to be released by the local authority.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will set up a public inquiry into the use of organo-phosphorous compounds in agriculture in view of recent cases of destruction of animal life.

No. I am satisfied with the existing arrangements for clearing these compounds for safety. Although no evidence has been submitted sufficient to justify a further inquiry into their possible effects, I am aware of public concern and the need for a constant watch.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the report of the Agricultural Advisory Council on its inquiry into Soil Structure and Fertility.

We expect to receive this report in the late autumn.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increase he estimates there will be in costs to British farmers who import livestock as a result of the closing of the Mersey Cattle Wharf, Birkenhead; what account will need to be taken of any such increases in the Annual Price Review; and whether he will make a statement.

No accurate estimate can be made of the effect of the closure of the Mersey Cattle Wharf on the costs to British farmers who purchase Irish cattle. This depends on the commercial decisions of those concerned with the trade. I have no evidence to suggest that alternative arrangements will involve an increase in delivery charges.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether any application has been made to him to approve premises and accommodation for cattle imports at the port of Cardiff, following the decision of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board to close the Mersey Cattle Wharf, Birkenhead.

There have been exploratory inquiries but no application has been received.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that adequate port facilities will exist for handling cattle imported from the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, including peak flows, when the Mersey Cattle Wharf, Birkenhead, closes on 31st December, 1970; and if he will make a statement.

The closure of the Mersey Cattle Wharf, Birkenhead, will involve a sizeable reduction in the capacity of British ports to handle cattle from Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, but my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and I are satisfied that, given the necessary commercial adjustment, adequate facilities will exist to cope with the likely throughput even at peak periods.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the recent appointment as from 1st July of the Chairman of the Forestry Commission at a salary of £5,000 per annum; why a salary of this amount is paid for a part-time appointment; and how many hours work per week will have to be given to this appointment.

The new chairman was appointed on the advice of the previous Administration. His salary assumes that he will give about two days a week to the work and is based on those of other part-time public appointments.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy regarding the early warning system for announcing food price increases.

We have this matter under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average payment to individual farmers by Government subsidy in the last financial year.

The average total cost of Exchequer support excluding administrative expenses is estimated to have been approximately £800 per self-employed person in agriculture in 1969–70.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what increase there was, between 16th October, 1964, and 18th June, 1970, in the number of non-industrial Civil Servants; and what reduction in the number he anticipates in the course of the next twelve months.

About 82,000; this figure includes the transfer of about 15,000 staff from the Post Office on the setting up of the Department for National Savings and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications on 1st October, 1969. For the future, we are reviewing staff needs in the light of the Government's programme of work.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the average cost of a non-industrial civil servant including his equipment and office space.

The latest estimate of the average annual cost of a non-industrial Civil Servant is £1,980. This figure includes salary, superannuation, S.E.T., office and other overheads.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service on what terms and conditions, and in which Department, he will employ Mr. Richard Meyjes of Shell International.

Mr. Meyjes will be based on the Civil Service Department. The terms under which he will be seconded to the Government Service are being discussed with his company.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will give details of the salaries paid to all chairmen and members of nationalised and statutory boards, together with their expenses and all other allowances and pension rights, and where applicable those who are on a part-time basis; and what is the average number of hours work per week or per annum which these part-time members give to these appointments.

Details of the salaries paid to chairmen and members of public boards of a commercial character are published each year in a White Paper. Their business expenses are reimbursed as necessary and they do not receive expense allowances or other form of allowance. It would not be appropriate to publish estimates of the time spent on the work by part-time members, who are expected to put in the hours necessary to carry out the duties assigned to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in relation to the supply of arms to South Africa.

I would refer to the reply my right hon. Friend gave yesterday to the hon. Members for Hitchin (Mrs. Shirley Williams) and Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Rose).—[Vol. 803, c. 323–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures Her Majesty's Government have taken to provide disaster relief for Peru following the recent earthquake.

Her Majesty's Government, and I myself, were deeply distressed at the devastating earthquake in Peru. My predecessor as Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Her Majesty's Ambassador in Lima sent messages of sympathy to the Peruvian Government. A Royal Air Force 'plane containing six tons of drugs and medical supplies was among the first to arrive in Peru. Experts working on behalf of the Ministry of Overseas Development gave their services to the Peruvian Government. In response to a specific request from the Peruvian authorities ten sets of specialised signals equipment were also flown out by the Royal Air Force to help to restore communications in the disaster area. Her Majesty's Government have now made further proposals to the Peruvian Government for assistance in rehabilitation and reconstruction.I acknowledge with gratitude the very substantial help for Peru provided by the voluntary societies and by private individuals in this country and totalling over £180,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now take steps to increase family allowances.

My right hon. Friend has no statement to make at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what scientific research has been done in his Department about the causes of vandalism and the motives which cause young people to indulge in vandalism;(2) if he will set up a committee to investigate why there has been an increase in vandalism and what motivates people to be destructive and make recommendations.

The Institute of Criminology at Cambridge University has recently agreed to undertake, with Home Office financial support, studies of violence, among them a survey that should indicate the best lines for further inquiry on violence, including vandalism. Meanwhile, I am not persuaded that the appointment of a committee would be of assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many East African Asians with British passports are at present detained without trial in British prisons and remand centres.

Thirty-four.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many East African Asians are now waiting, without resources, in Europe for entry into Great Britain.

The information available to me is that 30 United Kingdom passport holders are at present waiting in Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what authority passport documents issued by the Iroquois Tribe in Canada are accepted as valid for entry purposes to this country.

It is for the immigration officer to decide whether a document produced to him by a passenger satisfactorily establishes his identity and nationality. Each case has to be settled in the light of all the relevant circumstances as they appear at the time, and no general assumption about the type of document referred to by my hon. Friend would be warranted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on the question of extradition of foreign nationals accused or indicted of acts of air terrorism or hi-jacking involving British aircraft or committed on British soil.

Any such acts constituting offences under the laws of the United Kingdom would be triable in this country, and requisitions for extradition in respect of such acts would be considered in the light of that situation and of our treaty arrangements.

asked the Prime Minister if he will co-ordinate the work of the Department of Education and Science with that of the Home Office and the Department of Social Services on the misuse of drugs.

This is being done.

asked the Prime Minister when he hopes to next meet the Prime Minister of Northern Ierland.

I have no plans for such a meeting at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will establish a committee of inquiry into the use made of official statistics by Government Departments.

No.

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to seek to initiate a Commonwealth Prime Minister's Conference.

The next meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government will be held in Singapore from 14th to 22nd January, 1971.

asked the Prime Minister (1) what plans he has to seek to pay official visits to foreign countries;(2) what plans he has to seek to make an early official visit to Switzerland.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will pay an official visit to the Republic of South Africa.

Apart from attendance at the meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Governments in Singapore in January 1971, I have no firm plans for other overseas visits.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give an assurance that the functions at present exercised by the Secretary of State for Wales will remain with the Welsh Office.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister if he will appoint an Under-Secretary of State to the Welsh Office from among those hon. Members who represent Welsh constituencies.

I have no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will transfer from the Department of Employment and Productivity to the Board of Trade the responsibility for monopolies policy.

As I made clear on 2nd July, the distribution of functions between Departments is under review.—[Vol. 803, c. 93.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about Ministerial responsibility for the Common Market negotiations.

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has responsibility for the day-to-day conduct of the negotiations.

asked the Prime Minister if he intends to take the chair at future meetings of the National Economic Development Council.

I shall be taking the chair at the next meeting of the council on 20th July.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will set up a security investigation into the activities of certain Home Office civil servants in the light of the evidence submitted to him by the hon. Member for Leeds, South.

asked the Prime Minister if he will appoint a security inquiry into the staff of the Home Office in the light of the evidence supplied to him by the hon. Member for Ealing, North.

No, as the allegations contained in the Press cuttings submitted by the hon. Members have not been substantiated.

asked the Prime Minister if he will examine the services at present extended to autistic children by the Department of Health and Social Security and by the Department of Education and Science in order to secure the specialist provisions still needed; and if he will designate one Minister for these purposes.

The two Departments work very closely together on this matter. I am not convinced that it would be helpful to assign responsibility to a single Minister, but I shall look into the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister what is his policy regarding reduction of Government expenditure through reduction of the number of Ministers and Ministerial departments; and what action he has taken or intends taking to reduce Government expenditure in these fields.

The Government's policy is to develop a Ministerial and departmental structure that is more rational, efficient and economical. In line with this policy, the size of the Administration has been reduced from 100 under our predecessors to 83.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make it a practice of his administration that Members of Parliament who write to Government Departments receive replies in less than three months from the date of the Member's letter, and within a short time when the information is available.

Ministers in charge of Departments will ensure that Members of Parliament receive replies with as much despatch as possible.

asked the Minister of State for Defence why an Army patrol which was only about 100 yards away did not go to the New Barnsley temporary police station, Belfast, to relieve the four police officers who were besieged there and attacked by a mob from approximately 3.30 p.m. until 6.30 p.m. on Saturday, 27th June, and were sending out calls for assistance by radio.

The first request for assistance by the Army was received from the New Barnsley police station just before 3.30 p.m. The nearest troops were fully engaged in protecting an Army company post. A platoon from elsewhere was therefore despatched immediately to the police station but this was obstructed on the way by a mob of rioters. One company of troops reached the police station at 4.30 p.m. and also relieved the company post.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement as to the instructions issued to the police under the command of the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland about the use of batons to quell a riot in Northern Ireland.

The General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland, as Director of Security Operations, is responsible only for the overall co-ordination of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Army for security operations. Questions about the use of batons by the Royal Ulster Constabulary are the concern of the Northern Ireland authorities.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he is aware that the Taggart Memorial Church Hall, Springfield Road, Belfast, used by the Army as a billet, was invaded and ransacked by rioters on the afternoon of Saturday, 27th June; if he will take steps to prevent such an incident recurring; and if he will make a statement.

On Saturday, 27th June, the hall which the Army was using as a billet was attacked by a mob when most of the troops were deployed elsewhere. It was not invaded or ransacked, but damage was done to roof tiles, doors, and windows. The troops dispersed the attacking mob using minimum force.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will amend the regulations for the payment of grant for a married female undergraduate so that the amount of her grant is ascertained by her married status and not by reference to the parental contribution paid when she was single.

No. This cannot be considered without reference to other claims on the funds available for student support.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when stage 2 of the Narborough County Primary School in Leicestershire will be commenced.

The local education authority intends to complete the school under its minor works programme as soon as resources allow.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will recommend to Her Majesty the appointment of a Royal Commission on the universities.

I am not at present contemplating any recommendation of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration he will give to the greater provision of four-wheeled invalid motor carriages, with a view to future elimination of the present three-wheeled carriage.

The present three-wheeled invalid vehicle cannot be eliminated because a substantial number of disabled people cannot drive a car. The cost of the further provision of cars must be considered in relation to other claims on the National Health Service including, for example, the claims of disabled people who do not qualify for a powered vehicle at all under the present rules.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will implement the recommendations contained in the Seebohm Report.

The Government are urgently considering a time-table for bringing into force the Local Authority Social Services Act, 1970, which implements the main recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that there is sufficient capacity for the treatment of mental patients in relevant hospitals in the South-West; and if he will make a statement.

Waiting lists of mental illness beds in the South Western Region are very small, but overcrowding in some hospitals for the mentally handicapped is severe and admissions are at present restricted as part of a programme to relieve overcrowding and improve conditions for existing patients.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what action is he taking to assist the redeployment of men made redundant as a result of the decision of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board to close the Mersey Cattle Wharf, Birkenhead, on 31st December, 1970.

When the dates of termination are made known, the 34 employees concerned will be invited by our local employment staff to discuss the alternative employment opportunities which are available at the time. Everything possible will be done to help them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation requiring the fitting of radio altimeters as well as barometric ones in civil airliners registered in this country.

I am advised by the Air Registration Board that they are unlikely to approve the installation of any automatic landing system in United Kingdom registered aircraft which does not include a radio altimeter, and I see no reason for any more general requirement to be made through legislation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation requiring the fitting of clear air turbulence detectors to civil aircraft registered in this country.

Such equipment is not yet sufficiently developed to permit the introduction of legislation requiring its installation in British civil aircraft.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation requiring the fitting of collision avoidance systems in civil airliners registered in this country.

Such legislation cannot be considered before a system generally suitable for airline operational use has been developed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will propose to the International Civil Aviation Organisation that it should require the fitting of rearward facing seats in civil airliners.

No. Member States of the International Civil Aviation Organisation have not supported such a proposal in the past, and in the absence of new evidence, there seems no reason to believe that they would do so now. The Board of Trade, will, however, continue to keep this matter under review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the regulations governing the seating of cabin staff in civil airliners registered in this country, during take-off and landing.

Article 29 of the Air Navigation Order, 1966 requires inter alia that the commander of the aircraft shall before it takes off and before it lands take all reasonable steps to ensure that cabin staff required to be carried are properly secured in seats which shall be in a passenger compartment and which shall be so situated that they can readily assist passengers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make amendments in light aircraft nagivational equipment requirements; and whether he will make a statement.

The requirements which the Department is currently considering for the carriage of navigational equipment will not be directed towards light aircraft as such but will apply to any aircraft desiring to operate in specified parts of the United Kingdom air space. An announcement will be made as soon as consultations with users have reached

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will seek powers to instruct British registered and operated airlines to simplify their emergency landing instructions to passengers.

No; adequate powers already exist under Article 22(3) of the Air Navigation Order, 1966.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation requiring all jet aircraft using British airports, whether they be registered in this country or abroad, not to use JP4 fuel.

British operators do not use JP4 fuel, save in exceptional circumstances. I do not think that we would be justified in introducing legislation to prevent the very limited use of this fuel by foreign operators using airports in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will propose that the International

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many near mid-air collisions have occurred over the United Kingdom in each of the years from 1963; and how many of these have involved civil airliners.

The total air misses reported involving civil aircraft and assessed as involving actual risk over the years 1963–69 are given below. The table also shows the numbers in these totals where public transport aircraft were concerned.Civil Aviation Organisation should in future be responsible for the investigation of all air crashes and incidents, that it should be given legal immunity for its investigation and its findings, and that it should state in detail the causes of such accidents and incidents.

No. I consider that the United Kingdom accident investigation regulations in force and the reports submitted to me in accordance with them ensure that the investigations are not separated from Ministerial authority. The present procedures fall in with the requirements and spirit of Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation so that executive responsibility for an investigation falls to the most appropriate national administration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will amend the regulations governing the number of required emergency exits for civil airliners registered in this country so that ventral doors and staircases are not to be included in that number.

The Air Registration Board are considering revision of the relevant British Civil Airworthiness Requirements governing the number of emergency exits required. Ventral doors and staircases are not regarded as emergency exits for the purpose of the requirements but, when provided, some limited credit for additional passengers is permitted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the regulations governing emergency exits from Boeing 707, 727 and 737, DC 9, DC 8, VC 10, Trident I and II, BAC 1–11, Caravelle and Comet, respectively, operated by airlines registered in this country; whether he will amend them to increase their number; and whether he will make a statement.

Of the aircraft mentioned, only the Boeing 707, Boeing 737, VC 10, Trident I and II, BAC 1–11 and Comet are operated on the United Kingdom register. The British Civil Airworthiness Requirements issued by the Air Registration Board relate the number and type of emergency exits to the seating capacity of the aircraft; they consider there is no reason to introduce new requirements for existing aircraft.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of aircraft using London Airport is fitted with secondary radar equipment.

A census carried out at London (Heathrow) Airport on 12th and 13th November, 1969 indicated that 95 per cent. of the aircraft using the airport were fitted with serviceable secondary radar equipment. At a further check on 30th May, 1970, 98 per cent. of aircraft were so fitted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will require all aircraft using British airports to be fitted with area navigation systems.

The United Kingdom has long advocated internationally the recognition and exploitation of facilities for area navigation. It is not practicable to compel aircraft using British airports to be fitted with equipment for this in advance of the necessary agreement on the systems to be used internationally.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of aircraft using London Airport is already fitted with area navigation equipment.

Some British and foreign aircraft using Heathrow carry self-contained navigational equipment capable of application for an area navigation function. Some others are equipped to use the Decca area navigation system, utilising transmissions from ground stations. Owing to the number and variety of aircraft employed on the international routes concerned, operated by more than fifty airlines, it is not possible to state what percentage of them is equipped to use these various systems.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the regulations governing emergency exits from Boeing 747 aircraft operated by airlines registered in this country; whether he is satisfied that the double slide method of exit conforms with these specifications; and whether he will make a statement.

I am advised by the Air Registration Board, who are nearing completion of their investigation of the Boeing 747 for United Kingdom certification, that they are regarding the double door and slide method of exist as a satisfactory means of complying with the intention of the British Civil Airworthiness Requirements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the regulations governing the maximum time to be taken in emergency exits from aircraft registered in this country in civil use; and whether he will make a statement.

There are no regulations which specifically govern the maximum time to be taken in an emergency evacuation but the design requirements laid down in British Civil Airworthiness Requirements, in particular for the provision of doors and emergency exits, and the provisions of the Air Navigation Order, 1966, relating to escape facilities and the training of crews, are intended to ensure that passengers are afforded the maximum opportunities of egress in an emergency.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will seek powers to require civil airliners registered in this country to be fitted with illuminated emergency exit signs of a crashproof type.

The fitting of emergency lighting systems is already required by the Air Navigation Order, 1966. Before approving such installations, the Air Registration Board requires to be satisfield that the system will illuminate the exit signs and that the equipment is, so far as practicable, crash proof. The requirements are at present being reconsidered in the light of recent developments in systems and equipment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the regulations governing the carriage of lifejackets and liferafts by civil airliners registered in this country, whether flying over land or sea; whether he will introduce legislation to increase the number of these; and whether he will make a statement.