asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from education authorities in relation to the financial provisions for school building in 1970; and what consideration he has given to authorities that have new towns in their area.

A number of education authorities have asked my right hon. Friend's Department for increases in the school building allocations notified to them in April, 1970. As regards the second part of the Question, due allowance has been made for the needs of new towns in deciding the distribution of the available capital investment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in his consideration of the Hunter Report, he will take into account the work which river purification boards are carrying out on fishing matters including their participation in stocking and fishing management programmes being undertaken by the United Clyde Angling Association.

My right hon. Friend will naturally take all relevant considerations into account. River purification boards are not in the main directly concerned with fishery management. The Hunter Report did not suggest any change in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to introduce legislation, consequent to the Hunter Report on Fishing.

I shall put forward proposals as soon as I am in position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many jobs there are in prospect for Scotland; and how this number relates to the forecasts in the White Paper on the Scottish Economy.

The number of jobs expected to arise in Scotland within the next four years in authorised new industrial buildings and buildings taken over by manufacturing firms amounted at the end of June to some 39,400. It would not be valid to relate this figure to the employment forecast for the period 1964 to 1970 given in the White Paper on the Scottish Economy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new houses were started in Scotland in the first five months of 1970 and in the equivalent period of 1969.

About 14,800 in the first five months of 1970 and 15,300 in the first five months of 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses were under construction in Scotland at the end of May, 1970; and what were the equivalent numbers at the end of May, 1968, and 1969.

About 50,300 against 54,900 in May, 1968, and 56,200 in May, 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for increasing the rate of house building within the public sector.

We will ensure that new house-building in the public sector takes its proper place in a balanced housing programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses were completed in Scotland by all agencies from October, 1964, to the end of June, 1970, or the nearest available date; how many were under construction at the nearest date; and if he will give similar figures for the corresponding period prior to October, 1964, and under construction at the end of that period.

About 225,500 houses were built in the five years and eight months before 31st May, 1970, and on that date about 50,000 houses were under construction. The corresponding figures for the earlier period mentioned by the hon. Member awere about 162,000 and 47,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the average subsidy paid annually on a low-rise four apartment house and a multi-storey three apartment flat, respectively, completed in Glasgow in 1970 and the corresponding subsidy paid in respect of such houses completed in 1963.

Information is not readily available in this form. The average basic subsidy so far determined on all houses completed by Glasgow Corporation in 1969–70 was about £150, with an additional £30 for houses in multi-storey blocks. The corresponding figure for 1963–64 was £32, with an additional £40 for houses in multi-storey blocks.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the amount paid to Glasgow in the financial year 1969–70 through needs element of the rate support grant and the annual payment to Glasgow by Exchequer equalisation grant in each of the years from 1959 to 1963.

In 1969–70 the needs element amounted to £25·9 million, which was supplemented by resources element amounting to £6·2 million. In 1959–60 and 1960–61 the Corporation did not qualify for Exchequer equalisation grant but received general grants of £10·2 million and £11·4 million. In the three succeeding years it was paid equalisation grants amounting to £·5 million, £2·2 million and £3 million respectively, in addition to general grants of £12·2 million, £12·6 million and £14·4 million respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been made to him in regard to a review of the General Teaching Council, Scotland; and what proposals he has in regard to such revision.

My right hon. Friend has received representations from Scottish Schoolmasters Association. He has replied that he does not propose to undertake a further review.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will give details of the schools in Paisley in which pupils are receiving part-time instruction and the number of pupils on part-time instruction in each of these schools;(2) what numbers of pupils in schools in Paisley are not receiving full-time education.

At the date of the latest return, which relates to the last week in May, 170 pupils at St. Fergus Primary School, 510 at Paisley West and 36 at Stanely Green Secondary Schools were receiving part-time instruction.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning the proposed changeover in the use of fuel at the Longannet Power Sation in Fife, from coal to oil, and what reply he has made.

The only representations my right hon. Friend has received have been from the hon. Member for West Fife and from the Scottish area of the National Union of Mineworkers. My right hon. Friend has written to the hon. Member stating that he has received no proposals for the use of oil instead of coal at Longannet Power Station. He will send the hon. Member a copy of his reply to the N.U.M.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with representatives of the British Medical Association in Scotland on their pay dispute and on their action in refusing to sign sickness notes and to serve on the various administrative committees of the National Health Service.

None, but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services, acting on behalf of all three Health Ministers, saw representatives of the British Medical Association and British Dental Association on 26th June and the professions have now resumed co-operation in the administration of the National Health Service and in signing medical certificates.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his proposals for the future of the Scottish Land Commission Office in the new town of Cumbernauld.

I would refer the hon. Member to the announcement regarding the Land Commission in the Gracious Speech.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to require local road authorities to list well-known short cuts in their areas and give urgent attention to eliminating danger spots on these roads.

My right hon. Friend will certainly be prepared to consider any proposals for the improvement of heavily used short cuts which local highway authorities may put to him, but he does not think it proper for him to give directions to these authorities about the priorities they should adopt for the improvement of roads which are their responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to reduce the number of fatal and serious road accidents in Scotland.

We intend to achieve this by providing for a continuing programme of new road construction and improvement, stimulating effective traffic management by highway authorities, and encouraging road safety training and education.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received requesting the continuation of British Standard Time in Scotland; and what replies he has sent.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he now proposes to take for the proposed fast road from Inverness to Invergordon.

I am arranging for the planning and engineering studies now in progress to be completed with all possible speed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to attract new industry to the Tayside area.

The Government will pursue policies of regional development to encourage industrial development in the area, and the Tayside Study, shortly to be published, can be expected to indicate specific potentialities for further development. The decision last week by the Michelin Tyre Company to establish a plant in Dundee indicates the eminent suitability of the area for new industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that there are 10,200 children of nursery school age in Dundee, only places for 525 at present, and a waiting list of 1,780 for nursery school places; and if he will take steps to increase the number of places to meet the demand.

A new nursery school for Dundee providing 80 full-time places has recently been approved and three further proposals for the provision of some 160 full-time nursery places are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will pay an official visit to the shipbuilding yards on the Clyde.

I should like to make such a visit when this can be arranged. In my previous capacity I visited U.C.S. two months ago and on an earlier occasion the Lower Clyde Group. The shipbuilding industry is of course the Departmental responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a list of fee-paying schools controlled by Glasgow Education Authority

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, when he now expects to publish the Tayside Plan.

My right hon. Friend hopes to arrange for publication on 20th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he plans to have with local authorities regarding the encouragement of the sale of council houses to sitting tenants.

I shall shortly be sending a circular to local housing authorities on this subject, after which discussions can take place on any aspects which need clarification or further consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what policy he intends to adopt with regard to the proposed selling of council houses in Scotland.

The information requested in the first part of the Question is given below. The information requested in the second part of the Question is not kept centrally.The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what instructions he has sent to local authorities concerning the sale of council houses.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave today to the hon. Members for Glasgow, Kelvingrove (Dr. Miller) and Scotstoun (Mr. Small).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities in Scotland have applied for permission to sell council houses.

I have had applications from three councils, and three others have inquired about conditions of sale.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to extend the Rent (Scotland) Act, 1965, to provide security of tenure to tenants of furnished dwellings.

This is one of the matters being considered by a Commtitee under the Chairmanship of Mr. Hugh Francis, Q.C., and my right hon. Friend will consider it in the light of the Committee's report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will undertake a review of the Meat and Livestock Commission.

My right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture and the Secretary of State have not yet had an opportunity to meet the Chairman of the Meat and Livestock Commission and it would be premature for me to make any comment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members have been appointed by his Department to the children's panel for Glasgow; and what steps he is taking to appoint further members.

Invitations to serve on the panel have been issued to 197 applicants whose appointment was recommended by the Children's Panel Advisory Committee. My right hon. Friend is also asking the Committee to submit more names as soon as possible in order to achieve a better occupational balance in the panel, and to meet the probable increase in its work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take to protect tenants of houses owned by a company, the name of which has been sent to him, from excessive rent increases.

The tenants are already protected by the Rent Acts. Any rent increase under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1969, will be phased over five years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for increasing the number of teachers for deaf children in Scotland.

A one-year course for teachers of the deaf was introduced at Moray House College of Education in October, 1969. The number of places is being increased next session from 12 to 24.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many places are available for deaf children in secondary schools.

There are about 350 places in the secondary departments of special schools for the deaf.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reappraisal he is making of the future of the Cupar sugar beet factory.

I am aware that the British Sugar Corporation's decision to close Cupar at the end of the 1971 season was taken on economic grounds. I am looking into these.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to set up a Scottish Fund similar to the Northern Ireland Remoteness Grant.

The Special Grant to the Scottish Islands, which corresponds to the Northern Ireland one, has existed since 1955.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of civil servants employed by Scottish Office Departments in Scotland on 19th June, 1970; and what is his estimate of the number who will be employed on 18th June, 1971.

On 1st June, 1970, the number of non-industrial staff was 8,187, which included 2,078 employed in the Prison and State Hospital services. The Departmental estimates for the current financial year prepared under the previous Government allowed for an increase to 8,449, including 2,168 for the Prison and State Hospital Services, by 31st March, 1971. I cannot make forecasts until I have reviewed the work that is being done.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to expand primary school building in Scotland.

I intend to give priority to the improvement of primary schools as resources permit, but I am not yet ready to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on proposed developments at Hunterston-Portencross, Ayrshire.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will receive the report and recommendation of the Hunterston Inquiry.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave today to the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire (Mr. Lambie).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation for the early convening of the Scottish Assembly.

I would refer the hon. Member to what was said on the subject of further devolution in the Speech from the Throne on the Opening of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he will take to promote the development of manufacturing industries in the Highlands and Islands.

This is one of the main concerns of the Highlands and Islands Development Board and I shall start by consulting them about it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he will take to accelerate the eradication of brucellosis in Scotland.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and I hope to make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will undertake as a matter of priority the bridging of the Dornoch Firth.

The hon. Member will know that I have long emphasised the need to assess the cost and justification of such a crossing by comparison with that of maintaining the present road mileage. I can assure him that such an assessment will be made at the appropriate stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been made to him about conversions of future planned coal-fired electrical generation to oil; and what reply he has sent.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. William Hamilton).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for reducing the number of civil servants employed at the Scottish Office; and how soon he expects the reduction to begin.

I will see to it that the number of civil servants is kept under constant review in relation to the work that has to be done.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for the future of fee-paying schools.

I shall restore to education authorities the power to charge fees if they wish to do so. I will continue to support grant-aided schools and maintain the freedom of independent schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the fee-paying schools administered by Edinburgh Education Authority; whether they are primary or secondary; the

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to hold down prices in the nationalised industries in Scotland for which he is responsible.

I shall encourage the Boards to absorb any further unavoidable increase in their costs by still greater efficiency and higher productivity.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what rôle he proposes for the Scottish Economic Planning Council.

I propose to consider the Report of the Select Committee on Scottish Affairs, and to meet the Council itself before I take any decisions on its future rôle.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes further to reduce the incidence of serious crime in Scotland.

The information requested in the first part of the Question is given below. The information requested in the second part of the Question is not kept centrally.

I am examining possible courses of action to support the efforts of the police, the local authorities and the community to combat and prevent crime.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the decision not to confirm the Duke Street, Hoddesdon, Improvement Side Roads Order has caused concern in Hoddesdon; and if he will review the position to ensure an alleviation of present traffic congestion and inconvenience to residents of Middlefield Road, Hoddesdon.

I am aware of concern in Hoddesdon at the decision not to confirm this Order. A review of the position showed no satisfactory way of relieving traffic conditions in Middlefield Road in advance of construction of the Hoddesdon By-Pass, work on which should start within the next two years, subject to the completion of the statutory procedures and the availability of funds.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, compatibly with proper consideration of the objections, he will expedite consideration of the Hoddesdon-Ware By-Pass Order with a view to obtaining early definition of a route combining the greatest traffic convenience with the minimum detriment to residential or other amenity.

Yes. A public inquiry was held last week and we are awaiting the Inspector's report.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state on average the number of spot checks that are made by his Department on road vehicles in a given year; and for the latest stated date, details of the spot check held in London, which area, what were the results and how many of these were for evading the payment of road fund licences.

Spot checks carried out by the Department are almost entirely concerned with road safety matters and not with excise tax evasion. The detailed information requested by the hon. Member is not readily available.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the Yorkshire-Lancashire motorway, and the action he will take to speed up its completion.

Some 18 miles of the M62, from Lofthouse to Gilder-some and Outlane to the County boundary in Yorkshire and from Whitefield to Worsley in Lancashire are due for completion this year, a further 13 miles from the County boundary to Whitefield in Lancashire next year and 12 miles from Gildersome to Outlane in Yorkshire in 1972. A contract will shortly be let for a further 13 miles eastwards to Ferry-bridge for completion in 1973. Preparatory work on the extensions east to Balkholme and west to Liverpool is well in hand, but the commencement of work on further sections depends on completion of the statutory procedures, including acquisition of land.

asked the Minister of Transport how many non-nationalised bus companies are at present operating schedule services in South-East England.

Thirty-five.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now cancel all plans for the metrication of road signs.

As far as I am aware, the only such plans announced by the previous Administration were for the metrication of speed limit signs in 1973. They will be reviewed in the context of metrication as a whole, in the light of the report of the Metrication Board published in May.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give an assurance that he will not give his approval to the closure of the Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury railway line, the rail link serving Mid-Wales.

There is no current proposal to close this line. The undertaking to pay grant for the service between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth expires at the end of this year. I am expecting an application from the Railways Board for a further grant undertaking within the next few months and shall, of course, consider it carefully.

asked the Minister of Transport how many light railway Order applications he has received in respect of the Liss Forest level crossing, Longmore Military Railway, consequent upon its military redundancy.

None.

asked the Minister of Transport what financial arrangements he proposes for the construction of the new entrance lock to Grangemouth Docks.

My Department will be in touch with the Forth Ports Authority shortly with regard to their application for loan and grant in respect of this scheme. As the hon. Member will know, I have just presented a Bill to repeal the limit in Section 13 of the Harbours Act, 1964, on the total of loans and grants which can be made under Sections 11 and 12 of that Act, and provide a new limit for loans under Section 11.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on his policy regarding the recent increase in bus fares in Scotland.

Bus fares are subject to statutory control by the Traffic Commissioners, who are independent authorities, subject to the rights of appeal to me from their decisions which can be exercised by local authorities and transport operators. I am informed that the Scottish Transport Group bus companies gave, as their main reason for seeking the increase recently granted to them, additional costs of the substantial wages settlements negotiated earlier this year, which included an element for acceptance of new schedules under bus drivers' hours legislation.

asked the Minister of Transport when the proposed motorway, M5, from Bristol and the Midlands will reach Exeter; and if he will give priority to the construction of an underpass or footbridge through the existing bypass, to alleviate the problem of families whose homes are separated from places of work, schools and play areas by the bypass.

Completion of M5 as far as Exeter is envisaged by the mid-1970's. The need for pedestrian facilities on the existing bypass is being investigated.

asked the Minister of Transport what is his estimate of the cost of constructing a fly-over compared with building a permanent bridge over half-barrier level crossings.

The cost of such structures depends on many factors including the number of tracks to be spanned and the topography, location and standards of the roads to be carried.The average cost of a permanent bridge and approaches varies from about £100,000 in open country to about £250,000 in urban areas. Temporary flyovers are generally no cheaper in rural areas but depending on conditions, could be up to 30 per cent. less expensive in urban areas.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that a large number of cars have to be checked after sale because of the discovery of serious defects; and if he will seek powers to check new models of cars to see that such faults are unlikely to occur after sale to the end users.

I am aware that occasionally a large number of cars have to be examined because a defect has been found in one or more individual vehicles. We do not consider legislation appropriate as the responsibility for producing vehicles free of serious defects must remain with the manufacturer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will institute an inquiry into the affairs of Dollar Land Holdings.

I am not satisfied that there are grounds for the appointment of an inspector to investigate the affairs of Dollar Land Holdings Limited.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange to give support for city to city operation of Hawker-Siddeley's vertical and short take off landing civil aircraft in view of its passenger capacity, ability to operate from restricted sites and the length of stage it can cover.

This is a complex matter on which work is in hand in the Departments concerned. It is premature to reach a judgment on the course to pursue.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT in chronological form the dates when his Department was asked to take action in connection with the case of John Bloom.

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the appointment of inspectors to investigate the affairs of Rolls Razor Ltd. They were appointed on 24th July, 1964 after suggestions in the House that such an appointment might be desirable.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the position of the Bridge of Don Barracks, Aberdeen, in view of the uncertainty stemming from the reorganisation plans for the Highland Brigade.

The barracks at Bridge of Don will be used to accommodate a Scottish Junior soldiers unit once the infantry depot now located there has closed on 1st April, 1972.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he has received the report of the Donaldson Committee; when this report will be published; and if Her Majesty's Government will now allow an optional break, at about 18 years of age, to Service men who have undertaken, when 15 or 16 years old, to serve for 12 years.

I expect that the Donaldson Committee will report to me in late September, and I shall thereafter report to the House. It would be wrong to anticipate any recommendations the Committee may make.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what special action is being taken by the military authorities to prevent civil disorder in Northern Ireland following the imprisonment of the hon. Member for Mid-Ulster (Miss Devlin) and in view of parades planned for 12th July, 1970.

Substantial reinforcements have been sent to Northern Ireland over the last few weeks.

asked the Minister of State for Defence why troops were not available to give immediate protection to the citizens of the lower part of Newtownards Road, Belfast, from gunfire coming from the Roman Catholic Church in that area on the early morning of 28th June.

On the night of 27th-28th June all available troops had been deployed to deal with serious disturbances in the centre of Belfast. When trouble arose in the Newtownards area, where there had been no reason to expect this, it took some time to redeploy troops. The first request for military assistance in the area was received at 12.30 a.m. and troops arrived there at 1.50 a.m.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the modernisation of the Royal Naval Dockyards.

The plans announced by the then Minister of Defence for Equipment on 27th May for the modernisation of the dockyards at Devonport and Portsmouth are proceeding.—[Vol. 801, c. 471–3.]

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the progress of productivity negotiations concerning Royal Naval Dockyard and Port Auxiliary Service employees.

A productivity agreement for the Port Auxiliary Service was signed at Portsmouth on 15th June. Discussions covering other areas of the Dockyard are continuing.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards military co-operation with Portugal.

There will continue to be such British military co-operation with Portugal as is appropriate to our common membership of the Western Alliance.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the rôle of the British nuclear deterrent in the Government's defence policy East of Suez.

British nuclear forces have a world-wide capability but it would not be in the public interest and it has never been the practice to say where they are deployed or to speculate on how they might be used.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what will be his policy on the division of orders for the construction of Hunter/Killer submarines between Vickers (Barrow) and Cammell Laird (Birkenhead); and to which company such orders will be allocated.

I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member on this same subject on 6th July.—[Vol. 803, c. 12.]

asked the Minister of Technology if he will give an assurance that existing development areas in Scotland will retain their status and incentives to industrial expansion under Her Majesty's Government's proposals to stimulate growth.

The Government's regional policies will be designed to give effective assistance towards industrial development and to secure value for money. We have at present no plans for changes in the Scottish development area.

asked the Minister of Technology when a use will be found for the Government-owned Babcock and Wilcox vacant factory at Dalmuir, Dunbartonshire, for manufacturing purposes.

Babcock and Wilcox's formal tenancy expired on 30th June, 1970, but they will continue to occupy part of the factory for a time. As it has not been possible to find another tenant for the existing factory it is proposed to redevelop the site.

asked the Minister of Technology what was the total amount of Government funds allocated to Scotland for industrial expansion from 1958 to 1963 and for a similar period from 1964 to the nearest date in 1970.

The following is the information, with the exception that I regret that information before 1960–61 is not readily available.

asked the Minister of Technology what action he now proposes to take regarding the future of Cammell Laird (Shipbuilders and Engineers) Limited, Birkenhead; and whether he will make a statement.

The Board of Directors and the management of the company are responsible for running it and for decisions affecting its future.

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

As the hon. Member knows, continuing efforts are being made 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.

As the hon. Member knows, 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.

As the hon. Member knows, research on safety fuels and thickened fuels is in progress. 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.

As the hon. Member knows, research 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.

As the hon. Member has been informed, 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 whether, as a first step to alleviating the unemployment problem in Dover, Deal and Sandwich, he will raise the lower limit beyond which an industrial development certificate is required in East Kent from 3,000 square feet to 5,000 square feet.

The I.D.C. control is operated flexibly in the Dover, Deal and Sandwich area to take account of unemployment. No industrial development certificates under 5,000 sq, ft. have been refused there for several years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek to amend existing legislation in order to allow traders of the Muslim faith who close their shops on Friday to remain open for Sunday trading.

My right hon. Friend intends to consider the recommendations of the Crathorne Committee on Sunday trading, of which this is one.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the fact that on an equivalent basis to England and Scotland, the total electorate in Northern Ireland is entitled to 17 Members of Parliament and not 12 as at present, he will extend the terms of reference of the Crowther Commission specifically to include consideration of the need to give fairer representations to Northern Ireland.

It is already open to the Commission to make recommendations on this matter if it so wishes.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans she has for building nursery schools in town and rural areas.

Additional nursery accommodation will be provided in urban areas of special social need. Elsewhere progress will be made when resources allow.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals she has for improving the conditions in outdated and overcrowded rural schools.

Progress in such improvement will be made as fast as resources allow.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans she has for reducing overcrowding in primary schools adjacent to rapidly growing owner-occupied housing estates.

It is in the first instance for local education authorities to determine the need for additional places as the result of new housing, whether public or private. I shall be glad to look at any particular case which the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the properties, together with numbers catered for, within the London Borough of Brent which will be transferred from the central government to the educational authority on the day appointed for the operation of the Education (Handicapped Children) Bill.

Decisions on such matters must depend on Parliamentary approval of the Bill and on subsequent consultation with the Authority concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he will take to keep the British people informed on the negotiations for entry to the European Economic Community.

It is the Government's policy to ensure that the House is kept fully informed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers farm within the area of the Pennines Rural Development Board; and how many of them have objected to the creation of that Board.

The number of farms is estimated at rather over 6,000. There were 35 objections, of which 25 were from farmers or landowners.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications have been made by farmers within the area of the Pennines Rural Development Board for financial assistance from the board for any scheme of grant or loan administered by the Board; and what is the total value of such applications.

As at 6th July, 1970, 64, to a total value of about £14,500.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will make a statement regarding postal charges.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on Monday, 6th July.—[Vol. 803, c. 11–12.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will state the number of applications before him from local authorities seeking to increase council house rents, the average increase sought, the number approved since 9th June and the number rejected as unjustified under the powers inherited under existing legislation.

Three applications are before my right hon. Friend. The average increases sought are 5s. 6d., 5s. 10d. and 6s. 8d. a week. He has not approved or rejected any proposals since 19th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether, in view of the damage recently sustained by the Menai railway bridge and the increase in traffic on the Menai road bridge, he will order an immediate re-examination of all existing and proposed road routes between the English border and Holyhead.

The road programme in all parts of Wales is kept continually under review. Substantial improvements have recently been made to the main A55 Chester to Bangor road and other improvements are already programmed. All other trunk roads to north-west Wales are also being improved. A major traffic survey is to begin this month to provide a basis for consideration of a possible new road crossing of the Menai Straits.