asked the Minister of Transport if he will institute an inquiry into the safety of public service vehicles operating from the Wood Green depôt of London Transport.

No. My technical officers regularly check the mechanical condition of public service vehicles. I am satisfied from their recent reports that London Transport do all they can to maintain vehicles in a safe condition.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what plans he has for the completion of the M2 motorway from Brenley Corner to Dover;(2) if he will revise the present plans for the development of the A2 road from Brenley Corner to Dover to include a by-pass of Canterbury and to speed-up the whole programme.

We have no plans at present to extend the M2 from Brenley Corner, but the A2 route is being progressively improved to dual-carriageway standard as quickly as possible. A Canterbury bypass is unlikely to be justified before the late 1970s.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now received a proposal for the extension of the Fleet Line to Lewisham and South-East London; and when he intends to make a decision.

I have not yet received this proposal.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will issue a general direction to British Railways to assist private railway companies.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport what is his policy regarding British Railways Southern Region current capital investment programme.

I will consider on its merits any proposal put forward by the British Railways Board.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total amount paid in the last financial year by way of subsidy under the Transport Act, 1968 to support unremunerative railways in Wales.

The total cost of grants paid under Section 39 of the Transport Act, 1968 in the calendar year 1969 for services operating wholly or partly in Wales was £4,324,000.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give an undertaking that subsidies under the Transport Act 1968 will continue to be available for railway lines whose social significance is high.

Such subsidies will continue to be available as and when this seems right. I shall consider each one on its merits and in the context of public expenditure policies.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give an assurance that the level of grant provided last year for uneconomic but socially necessary railway lines in Wales will be continued.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give an assurance that the Government will continue to assist for an indefinite period the passenger service of the Central Wales line.

No. All undertakings to pay grant for railway passenger services are subject to a statutory limit of three years.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will continue to grant-aid the Wrexham-Liverpool railway line.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the Wrexham-New Brighton rail service for which my predecessor undertook to pay grant until 31st December, 1970. I cannot come to any conclusion about the future of the service until I have considered the application for renewal of grant-aid which I am expecting from the Railways Board later this year.

asked the Minister of Transport, if he will continue to grant-aid the Chester-Holyhead railway line.

My predecessor's undertaking to pay grant for this service expires at the end of 1970. I cannot come to any decision about its future until I have considered the application for renewal of grant which I am expecting from the Railways Board later this year.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has for relieving the hardship caused to those in receipt of retirement pensions as a result of increasing bus fares.

Local authorities have powers to arrange travel concessions if they so wish.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will issue a general direction to British Railways not to discontinue freightliner services to distant parts of the United Kingdom which are likely to break even within two years of their commencement and which are now being fully used.

No. This is a matter of management for the National Freight Corporation, of which Freightliners Ltd. is a subsidiary.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will authorise a motorway connecting the North-Eastern area with the Midlands and an Atlantic port in order to widen the opportunity for trading between the North and the Midland home market and export with the American Continent and to increase the attraction of the North for the development of new industries.

High-class dual carriageway routes, mainly to motorway standards, already exist, are under construction or are at an advanced stage of preparation, connecting the North-East with Liverpool and the Midlands.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now publish his proposals for standardising the rules for vehicle parking at night without lights.

We are considering the standardisation of these rules and will make an announcement in due course.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will publish the proposed line of the M18 motorway extension from Wadworth to Hatfield.

Soon, I hope.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the recent negotiations between his Department and the Portsmouth City Council concerning pedestrian crossing facilities, particularly in the Northern Parade area.

The Portsmouth City Council has received approval in the last few months for four Pelican crossings in the area just south of Northern Parade. The Council has asked for approval for the installation or resiting of a further number of Pelican crossings five of which are in the Northern Parade area. These are under consideration and I expect to send a reply within the next week or two.

asked the Minister of Transport when is the estimated date for the opening to traffic of the M62 between the Worsley and Outlane interchanges.

Next Spring although it is expected that some sections will be open this year.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will refer the bus fare increases, which in certain instances amount to a 55 per cent. increase, recently implemented by the North Western Road Car Company in the Saddleworth Area, to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if he will refer increases in bus fares by Potteries Motor Traction in the Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency to the National Board for Prices and Incomes;(2) if he will refer proposed increases in bus fares by the Crosville Company in the Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will refer the proposed fare increases of the Trent Motor Traction Company and the Mansfield Traction Company to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

No. I would refer hon. Members to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) on 10th July.—[Vol. 803, c. 113.]

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has for improving the A5 between Brownhills and Weston-under-Lizard; and if he will make a statement on the proposed motorway link with Telford New Town.

Two schemes are under consideration for the 1971–72 programme. We hope to publish a line for the remainder of the Telford Link this year.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will start the con struction of Stage I of the Calder Valley road outlined in the North-East Lancashire Project Study Report.

A target date for start of work will be decided when I have received firm programming proposals.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the number of accidents involving fatal or serious injuries to motor-cycle pillion passengers occurring in the Greater London area and in the United Kingdom, respectively, during the last 12 months.

Following are the number of casualties in 1969:

	Great Britain*		London (Metropolitan Police District)
Pillion passenger on	Fatal	Serious	Fatal	Serious
Moped	1	25	Nil	4
Motor scooter	15	770	1	74
Motor cycle	76	1,266	4	100
Total	92	2,061	5	178
* In addition in Northern Ireland 2 pillion passengers were fatally injured and 22 were seriously injured.

asked the Minister of Transport what discussions have taken place with motoring organisations and others in regard to alterations in the speed limit.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has for altering speed limits on motorways.

I would refer the hon. Members to my Answer given earlier today.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give consideration as a matter of urgency to the construction of a second Dartford Tunnel.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Transport by what date he expects that a link will be established between the M1 and the M6 in order to provide a direct route from Lancashire to London.

The end of 1971.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received from the ports authorities in Severnside concerning the enlargement and development of their ports facilities; and what plans he is now considering for approval.

Proposals by the Port of Bristol Authority for a revised West Dock scheme are being examined by my Department and by the National Ports Council, who have been consulted as required by the provisions of the Harbours Act, 1964.I have just authorised the British Transport Docks Board to carry out urgent reconstruction works to the entrance lock at Newport.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the undecided shape of the future road network in South Humberside, the design of the proposed bypass for Brigg will allow for conversion to a motorway if the whole or a major part of it be required to form part of an extension to the Grimsby area of the proposed M18 motorway.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Transport whether in future, when carrying out spot checks on vehicles connected with road safety, he will, in view of the connection between road fund licences and the obtaining of roadworthiness certificates, make checks on the evasion of excise tax and publish such details in the form of quarterly returns.

We will see that greater attention is paid to this matter in future. Details of vehicle excise offences are already published annually by the Home Office.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has concerning a reduction in the number of staff and civil servants in his Department, and in expenditure; and when decisions will be made.

I have nothing to add to the Answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Halifax on 9th July and to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the debate on the Gracious Speech on 7th July.—[Vol. 803, c. 842–3; Vol. 803, c. 510.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the non-compliance by the owners of Trinity Press with section 18 of the Registration of Business Names Act, 1916, or with section 201 of the Companies Act, 1948, he will take steps with a view to the enforcement of the law requiring disclosure of the names of the partners or directors as the case may be.

There are at least 10 firms trading under the name "Trinity Press" and no previous information about the failure of the owners of any of them to comply with the provisions mentioned can be traced in the Board.If my right hon. Friend will give me further information on this matter I will consider it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the non-compliance with section 201 of the Companies Act, 1948, by Business Promotions Publishing Company Limited, the proprietor of the Julian Press, he will take action with a view to the enforcement of the law requiring disclosure of the names of the directors of this company.

We have taken action with a view to ensuring that the company complies with section 201.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes the proposed increases in motor car insurance premiums.

I do not intend to refer the proposed increases to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy in relation to the proposed National Exhibition Centre in the Birmingham area.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, South-West (Mr. Tom Boardman) on 13th July.—[Vol. 803, c. 139–40.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to stop dumping of imported food on the British market at prices below the cost of production.

The Board of Trade are always ready to consider promptly applications for the imposition of anti-dumping duties which are supported by prima facie evidence that the products concerned are being dumped within the meaning of the Customs Duties (Dumping & Subsidies) Act, 1969 and are causing or threatening material injury to the British producers of like goods. For this purpose, dumping normally means sales for export at prices lower than those of comparable sales in the supplier's home market. If there are comparable domestic sales and the Board can determine their fair market price in accordance with Section 4 of the Act, the Board are not entitled to assess dumping by reference to the cost of production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek to renegotiate existing international commitments which preclude home producers from securing an increased share of their own market.

There are no commitments which specifically preclude United Kingdom producers from increasing their share of the home market.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to update the horticultural import duties to prevent their erosion by inflation.

The erosion of the ad valorem incidence of a specific duty by inflation is not a decisive reason for making a tariff change. Any application for a tariff change has to be considered against all the criteria in the Import Duties Act, 1958. Regard must be had to the desirability of maintaining and promoting the external trade of the United Kingdom, the desirability of maintaining and promoting efficiency of production in the United Kingdom, the interests of consumers in the United Kingdom, and our international obligations. We are, however, always prepared to receive applications for tariff changes, and to consider whether there is a prima facie case for a full investigation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in his proposed review of company law, he will include consideration of matters such as the Bloom case, where directors had to wait for two years before trial and on dismissal were unable to claim damages or compensation.

No. Questions about prosecutions are for my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General and the question raised by the hon. Member about damages or compensation is for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the total costs to his Department on all expenditure connected with Rolls Razor Limited and associated matters, including legal costs before, during and since the various committal proceedings and trials.

The expenses of and incidental to the investigation of the affairs of Rolls Razor Ltd. by inspectors appointed by the Board of Trade were £66,230.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will now review the decision to re-spar the Royal Air Forces's Pembroke aircraft.

After careful consideration, I have concluded that the decision to re-spar the Pembroke should stand.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will reconsider the decision that there should be no flying display by fixed-wing aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm at this year's Farnborough Air Show.

No. I am satisfied that in any event time does not now permit us to mount a worthwhile flying display.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the number of officers of field rank or equivalent in each of the armed services, and the proportion of other ranks to each such officer in each of the services.

The numbers of officers of field rank, or equivalent, in each of the Armed Services at 1st April, 1970, and the proportions of other ranks, excluding officers designate, to these officers were:

		Officers of field rank	Proportion of other ranks to officers of field rank
R.N./R.M.	…	4,400	16.3 to 1
Army	…	8,592	17.4 to 1
R.A.F.	…	6,870	12.8 to 1

asked the Minister of State for Defence how long shooting continued in the lower Newtownards Road area of Belfast on the night of 27th-28th June; how many civilians, police and soldiers were killed or injured as a result; and how many arrests were made by the Army assisting the police in the area on that night.

Shooting took place intermittently over a period of some five hours on the night of 27th-28th June. Known casualties were three civilians killed and 26 civilians injured. One person was arrested.

asked the Minister of State for Defence for how many hours the Army assisted the police in East Belfast on the night of 27th-28th June; and how many shots were fired by the soldiers at men armed with guns and snipers operating in the lower Newtownards road area between Bryson and Seaforde Streets.

Troops were assisting police in East Belfast on the night of 27th-28th June, from shortly after midnight onwards. They fired no shots in this area at this time since, owing to the confused situation, it was impossible to identify targets.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what examination has been made by Army experts following the shooting on the night of 27th-28th June of the buildings and shops between 120 and 128 Newtownards Road to determine the number of shots fired into these buildings, the degree of penetration of the bullets with a view to determining the weapons from which they were discharged, and the direction from which they were fired; and what were the results.

Careful examination of the area has shown that the buildings were subjected to heavy fire from a variety of weapons. The number of shots fired into them cannot be reliably estimated. Ammunition found in the area suggests that the weapons used included revolvers, sten-guns, Sterling or Thompson sub-machine guns and foreign rifles. There is evidence that the firing was from the general direction of St. Matthew's Church.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many retired officers of the three Armed Services, including Indian Armed Services, are in receipt of retired pay under each of the retired pay codes; how many of those officers retired under the 1919 Code had their retired pay reassessed because of war service; and, in each case how many are over 60 years of age and, of the latter, how many are over 70 years of age.

The available figures are as follows:

Officers on Retired Pay		Those over 60 years of age included in column A	Those over 70 years of age included in columns A and B
Code	A	B	C
1919	3,109	2,836	1,467
1919 (reassessed for war service)	2,922	2,906	1,342
1945	13,239	10,682	2,543
1950	5,710	4,440	326
1956	10,358	4,392	63
1960	4,836	1,223	4
1962	4,128	861	—
1964	3,644	501	—
1966	3,985	181	—
1968	3,518	43	—
1969	2,300	19	—
1970	584	4	—
	58,333	28,088	5,745

In addition to the above there are two pre-1919 officers receiving retired pay who are over 60 years of age.The figures in Column C for those over 70 years of age include Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Indian Army officers. The number of British Army officers in this category is still being assessed and I will write to the hon. Gentleman when the figures are available.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the criteria by which the Government decide whether or not the export of arms to particular countries is permitted.

It is the general policy of Her Majesty's Government, subject always to strategic, political, economic and security considerations, to sell defence equipment to countries with whom we have friendly relations.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many widows of regular officers are receiving widows' ordinary pensions under each of the retired pay codes; and in each case how many are on minimum widows' pension rates.

The figures are as follows:

Code	Widows receiving ordinary pensions	Those on minimum rates included in Column A
	A	B
Pre-1919	17	13
1919	3,660	1,342
1945 (including 1919 reassessed for war service)	6,346	2,650
1950	1,457	523
1956	951	160
1960	329	81
1962	231	68
1964	213	46
1966	129	14
1968	57	6
1969	20	3
1970	4	1
	13,414	4,907

asked the Minister of State for Defence what arrangements he proposes to make for tank crew training in Europe; and if he will make a statement.

The present arrangements will continue subject to constant reviews to ensure that the requisite training standards are maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress made on the evaluation of Scottish manpower planning post-1970.

The Scottish Economic Planning Board is currently engaged on an examination of the factors likely to determine the labour supply and demand in Scotland over the next five years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the level of subsidies to be paid to local authorities presently building houses and providing services for Glasgow's overspill.

Subsidies will continue for the present to be paid under the current arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will seek power to review decisions concerning the withdrawal of licences for premises to hold bingo sessions in view of the effect on the tourist industry.

Before the licensing provisions of the Gaming Act, 1968, came into operation on 1st July, 1970, premises were not required to be licensed for gaming and accordingly there is no question of licences having been withdrawn. Applications for a licence under the Act have to be accompanied by a certificate of consent from the Gaming Board and I do not consider it appropriate that I should take power to review either the decisions of the Board or those of the licensing court. In the latter case, the statute provides for a right of appeal to the sheriff.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to authorise phase II of the building programme of the Douglas-Ewart High School, Newton Stewart.

This project has already been approved in prinicple but I cannot yet say when the education authority's investment allocations will permit them to start.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many doctors from Common Market countries are now working in Scottish hospitals.

This information has not been recorded and it is not possible, therefore, for me to make it available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give urgent consideration to the creation of a shipping authority for the purpose of co-ordinating and operating Scotland's coastal shipping and ferry services; and if he will make a statement.

No. So far as nationally-owned services are concerned the Scottish Transport Group was set up to do this job.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now give a completion date for the new Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

The boiler house, laundry and nurse training school with some of the associated residences are already in use. The current completion dates for the main hospital and medical school buildings—December, 1971—and the radiotherapy, minor specialties and maternity blocks—in the course of 1972—are at present under review by the regional hospital board.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why plumbers have been paid off at the Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, in view of the fact that there is still plumbing work to be done there and the building work is again behind schedule.

The employment of tradesmen at Ninewells is the responsibility of the contractors engaged upon the scheme. I understand that three plumbers have been declared redundant, after consultation with their union, but that this will not affect the rate of progress on the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an assurance of continuity of employment to the staff employed by the Land Commission, Scottish Office, Cumbernauld.

So far as practicable, alternative posts—not necessarily in Cumbernauld—will be offered to the staff concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will evaluate the Salmon pilot schemes in the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

Salmon pilot schemes in Scotland have not been in operation long enough to enable an objective evaluation to be made; the first came into operation in December, 1968, and the seventh and last only in April, 1970. The indications are that in the main the new structure is working well and is beginning to provide a more efficient nursing management and service.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the starting date for the new Dalmellington High School.

This project is not included in Ayrshire Education Authority's approved building programme for the first part of the 1970–72 period. I have still to receive proposed building programmes taking up the authority's allocations of investment for the second part of this period and for 1972–73.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what medical cover is provided for women from the Cumnock Burgh and Cumnock Landward areas who have their confinements in Kilmarnock Maternity Hospital.

This is a general practitioner unit and patients in it are normally under the supervision of their own general practitioner. I understand from the Western Regional Hospital Board that when, as in the case of most women from the Cumnock area, it is not practicable because of distance for their general practitioner to provide medical cover for them at the hospital, medical services are provided by the staff of the Ayrshire Central Hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what study the Scottish Economic Planning Board has prepared of the effects of entry into the European Economic Community on the Scottish economy.

While I cannot disclose the proceedings of the Scottish Economic Planning Board which, like other interdepartmental consultations, are confidential, I can assure the hon. Member that the Government are taking these matters fully into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received the report of the public inquiry held into the Ferrier Street (Leith) Clearance Order; and when he expects to reach a decision upon it.

The Report of the Inquiry was received at the end of May; and I expect that the decision will be announced very soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for encouraging the work of Home Safety Committees in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

Responsibility for local home safety activities rests with local authorities. My Department gives an annual grant to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents to enable a full-time organiser to be employed to assist authorities in this work. The Health Education Unit of my Department also provides assistance as required and prepares and distributes informative material free of charge.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the total bed complement for mentally defective patients in Ayrshire and the size of the waiting list; and how many Ayrshire patients are hospitalised outside the county.

At 30th September, 1969, 115 beds were available in hospitals in Ayrshire for mentally defective patients and there were six persons on the waiting list. The number of Ayrshire patients in hospital outside the county is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what allocation of duties he has arranged for his Under-Secretaries of State.

I have designated my hon. Friend the Member for Ayr (Mr. Younger) Under-Secretary of State for development; my hon. Friend the Member for North Angus and Mearns (Mr. Buchanan-Smith) Under-Secretary of State for home affairs and agriculture and my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor) Under-Secretary of State for Health and Education.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when the bridge and bypass at Carmarthen and the trunk road between Carmarthen and St. Clears will be completed.

The various schemes embodying these improvements are either under construction, in the firm programme or in the preparation pool. In addition, a temporary road bridge was opened at Carmarthen last week. The Government intend to complete a dual carriageway east-west across South Wales to St. Clears as quickly as possible, but I cannot yet forecast the completion date.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to announce his plans for the reorganisation of local government in Glamorgan and Monmouthshire; and what is the closing date for consultations with individual local authorities and their national representative organisations.

I shall do so as quickly as possible. Meanwhile an official letter has been sent to all local authorities in Glamorgan and Monmouthshire informing them that they need not comment on the proposals in Cmnd. 4310 unless they wish to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will consider the establishment of a Rural Development Board in mid-Wales on lines identical with those of the Pennines Rural Development Board but without the compulsory purchase and pre-emptive powers possessed by the latter.

No.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will sanction the building of a nuclear power station on the River Dee, Flintshire.

Before reaching a decision I shall need to consider with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales the implications of the Deeside Planning Study, and the report of the public inquiry at Mold provisionally fixed for 14th October.

asked the Minister of Technology (1) if he will review his Department's policy with regard to the issue of industrial development certificates in relation to the Daventry area, where restrictions have created an imbalance between housing and jobs in the overspill scheme;(2) how many new jobs require to be created in the next 12 months in Daventry to bring the overspill and town development schemes on to target; and what steps he will take to assist this.

Until a satisfactory balance between housing and employment in Daventry can be foreseen, industrial development certificates will be readily available for suitable firms moving there from the West Midlands conurbation and to existing firms wishing to undertake reasonable expansions. The number of new jobs expected to arise in Daventry in the next 12 months is in excess of the new dwellings expected to be available. We shall be keeping the situation there under review.

asked the Minister of Technology how many applications there have been for industrial development certificates for Daventry; how many have been rejected; and how many new jobs have been created over the last 12 months.

In the 12 months April, 1969 to March, 1970, four industrial development certificates have been granted for the Daventry Employment Exchange Area which were estimated by the applicants to give rise to an additional 100 jobs, 90 of which were for males. In the same period, one industrial development certificate was refused.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will issue development certificates for heavy engineering industry wishing to establish itself in Swindon or extend operations already carried out there.

We are prepared to issue industrial development certificates for the reasonable expansion of firms already in Swindon and for suitable firms wishing to move there under the overspill agreement with the Greater London Council.

asked the Minister of Technology whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to continue the special development areas in Scotland.

We have at present no plans for changes in the special development areas in Scotland or elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the total expenditure from public funds to date on the industrial estate at Meadowfield, the number of factories established, and the number of jobs provided; and what plans there are for future development.

£1·2 million has been spent to date. Four advance factories have been built and a fifth should be started in the autumn. Two factories are occupied but the number of workers employed in them cannot be disclosed. Twenty acres have been leased for private industrial development and over 90 acres are still available for further development.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the total Government expenditure to date on the industrial estate at Crook, the number of factories established, and the number of jobs provided; and what plans there are for further development.

£1·035 million has been spent to date. Six factories have been built and a further two should be completed in the autumn. Current employment totals 1,780. Seven acres are available for further development.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he has authorised the expenditure of £1·1 million on a new office block for the National Computing Centre Limited.

Approval in principle to a new office block for the National Computing Centre Limited was given under the previous Administration. Detailed working drawings are now being prepared. We shall need to look very carefully at the proposal before taking a final decision.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will arrange, in co-operation with the Society of British Aerospace Companies, the inclusion in this year's Farnborough Air Show of a static display to illustrate the varied applications outside the aerospace industry of research and development originally sponsored for aviation purposes.

No. The Farnborough Air Show is a private venture of the Society of British Aerospace Companies to promote the interests of its members. The display or advertising of articles which have not been designed or developed for use with aircraft or engines is precluded by the Society's regulations governing use of space at this show.

asked the Minister of Technology what are the current plans for allowing increased import of anthracite and other smokeless fuels to deal with the expected shortage of smokeless fuel this winter.

The National Coal Board have arranged to import about 75,000 tons of briquetted Welsh anthracite from France by the end of the winter. No other imports of smokeless fuels are envisaged at present.

asked the Minister of Technology what are his Department's plans regarding the allocation of advance factories to the Carmarthen constituency and Wales.

We have no such plans at present.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will give an assurance that the level of investment grants in Wales for the current financial year will be at least as high as that for the year ended 31st March, 1970.

The amount paid will depend not only on the rates of grant currently in force but also on the amount of eligible investment and on the times at which claims are made, so I can give no such assurance.

asked the Minister of Technology whether, taking 1963 as 100, he will state the percentage rise or fall up to 1969 in production and/or construction in trades and industries, namely, all industries, steel, gas, sulphuric acid, man-made fibres, passenger cars, machine tools, merchant ships and electricity generated.

The information is as follows:

	Percentage change 1963 to 1969
All industries: production	+23
Steel: volume of output	+21
Gas: production	+41
Sulphuric acid: production by weight	+12
Man-made fibres: production by weight	+70
Passenger cars: production by units	+ 5
Machine tools: value of manufacturers' deliveries at current prices	+51
Merchant ships of 100 gross tons and over: tonnage completed	-28
Electricity generated	+41

asked the Minister of Technology if he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes the price increase for dry-cell batteries.

The National Board for Prices and Incomes has already examined the reasons for this increase and has published its report (No. 148, Cmnd. 4370).

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will now take steps to implement the proposal made by the Convention of Royal Burghs that development grants be weighted to take account of unemployment and depopulation figures and remoteness.

These factors are already taken into account in the designation of development and intermediate areas. I can hold out no hope of changes being introduced along the lines advocated by the Convention of Royal Burghs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to prevent the unrestricted circulation of material advertising pornographic literature.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a Question by my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, East (Sir D. Walker-Smith) on 10th July.—[Vol. 803, c. 107–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to apply pay restraints to those in the public service serving in the police force.

Any pay claim on behalf of the police will be considered in the normal way taking account of all the circumstances including the needs of the service and of the economy generally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he proposes to lift the general restriction of entry of male fiancés of Commonwealth citizens into this country, in view of the proposal to introduce alien terms of entry;(2) if he proposes to raise the entry age of children of Commonwealth citizens working in this country to the higher age applicable in the case of aliens;(3) if he proposes to take steps to allow dependants of Commonwealth citizens working in the United Kingdom to enter the country at age 60 years or over as in the case of aliens.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the legislation promised in the Gracious Speech, but I would point out that the rules for the admission of children are already the same in all essentials for aliens and Commonwealth citizens.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will place in the Library, for the information of hon. Members, transcripts of material of a political nature broadcast before and during the election campaign by the pirate radio station or stations and monitored by his Department.

I regret that transcripts are not available and could not be produced without disproportionate expenditure of time and money.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is the future of Radio Teesside, in view of Government proposals to permit commercial local radio stations.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6th July, 1970, to the hon. Members for Blyth (Mr. Milne) and Kingston upon Hull, North (Mr. McNamara).—[Vol. 803, c. 311.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will give an assurance before the planning inquiry in Salisbury opens on 28th July that it will be held in public in order to spare members of the public further long journeys to no purpose.

For the reasons that have been explained to my hon. Friend I cannot defer the coming inquiry, which will be concerned only with the applications for planning consent now before my right hon. Friend.As regards

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) if he will take action to enable the objectors to bring technical evidence at the Grimstead inquiry to rebut evidence previously given in secret;(2) whether he will name one of the 200 alternative sites reported to his Department's inspector as having been explored before the suitability of chalk in the Dean Valley was determined;(3) whether he will cause an investigation to be made into the origins of the present industrial activity at Grimstead before his Department's inspector reports upon extensions to that activity.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to his question earlier today.I cannot reopen matters decided following the earlier inquiry.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why he is to hold an inquiry into possible extensions of the Grimstead activity before his Department's discussions with the Council on Tribunals are completed and before the Council has opportunity to insist on fresh rules.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to his question earlier today.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take steps to ensure that hon. Members of this House may freely attend planning inquiries in their constituencies without being subject to an oath of lifelong secrecy thereafter.

There are no powers under which an inspector can require persons attending planning inquiries to take an oath of secrecy.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will publish a memorandum detailing the estimated effects on the structure of development area incentives of entry into the European Economic Community.

No. Our regional policy measures have much in common with those of the members of the Community and we see no reason why we should not be able, like them, to pursue a vigorous regional development policy.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he will introduce legislation to implement the undertaking in the Gracious Speech to intensify the drive to remedy past damage to the environment and to seek to safeguard the beauty of the British countryside.

The main need is vigorous and systematic use of existing powers.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many homes were built for the Leeds Corporation in each of the years 1965 to 1969.

Housing performance, Leeds, C.B.

Completions:
1965	1966	1967	1968	1969
2,378	2,799	2,933	1,722	1,807

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take steps to ensure that no local planning authority is invited to comment upon applications to extend an activity permitted after in camera proceedings without an elected member of that authority having been present at those proceedings.

Local planning authorities have a statutory duty to deal with a planning application unless it is referred to the Minister for decision. In the latter event it is for the authority to decide whether to comment.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether part of the aid loan of £2 million to Ethiopia has yet been released.

Not yet.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Libyan cadets are undergoing training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst; and what is the cost to public funds.

There are two Libyan officers currently attending the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. The total cost of their training is about £3,000 per annum, which is met by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Libyan naval personnel are undergoing training in the United Kingdom; and what is the cost to public funds.

There are 13 Libyan officers and 83 ratings currently attending British naval training establishments. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office meets the costs of 12 of the officers, amounting to some £8,100 per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of Great Britain's evacuation of Libyan bases and of the current policy of the Libyan Government regarding British interests in the Middle East, he will cancel the arrangements for training Libyan naval and military personnel in Great Britain.

No. We value the long-standing co-operation between the United Kingdom and Libya in this and many other fields, and wish it to continue.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with His Majesty the Shah of Iran.

No. It would not be right to divulge details of these confidential discussions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about a special Farm Price Review in 1970; and what replies he has given.

We have received a number of such representations mainly from the National Farmers' Union county branches. My right hon. Friend has also discussed the question with the President of the National Far mers' Union for England and Wales. He has said that he is prepared to consider representations for a special Review but the case would have to be a strong one to justify a change in the agreed procedure.