asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the Government's policy on the location of the third London airport.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy on the location of the third London airport.

The Commis sion on the Third London Airport is expected to report towards the end of this year and the Government will then take a decision as quickly as may be in the light of the Commission's recommendation.

Can the Minister be a little more specific about the date? When he says that it will be towards the end of this year, does he mean at the beginning of next year? Is he aware that if he wants to pay tribute to Conservation Year, 1970, a suitable place for the third airport is on the coast? Is he aware of the vast expenditure so far incurred by various parties to try to persuade him that the right location would be elsewhere than inland?

I am sure that my hon. Friend will realise that the actual production of the report is in the hands of the Commission and not myself. As for the final decision, I hope that he will recognise that the Commission, with its terms of reference and composition, was set up with the agreement of all parties, and it would be quite wrong to prejudge the issue.

Has not the work of the Roskill Commission already demonstrated that there is no significant difference in construction costs between the four sites? In consequence, is not there now clearly a choice between the preservation of amenity and inconvenience to travellers? Will my hon. Friend ensure that inconvenience to travellers is given a higher priority than the loss of amenity to the rest of the population?

I am afraid that I could not go along with my hon. Friend in agreeing that it is self-evident that the amenity points in any one direction.

Will the Minister confirm that despite the immense importance of the Roskill Commission's report when it appears he will nevertheless not necessarily be tied to it in coming to his final decision? Will he confirm that the House will have an adequate opportunity of debating any decision that the Government recommend to the House?

I accept that the decision when made, is a Government decision. We shall take account of the recommendations, but only account of them. As for a debate, I feel sure that my right hon. Friend will wish the House to be able to discuss the report.

Does not my hon. Friend agree that if the third airport is put inland it is bound to cause more loss of amenity than if it is sited on the coast? Will he further confirm that although the economic implications of a third London airport are extremely important this should not be the only factor to be brought into account in siting the airport?

The answer to the second part of my hon. Friend's question is "Yes", and to the first part, "No".

Can the Minister assure the House that his mind is not altogether closed to the possibility that a third London airport may not be needed after all?

My mind is never closed to anything, but I think that it is improbable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he intends to take to expand British trade with Eastern Europe.

The expansion of our trade with Eastern Europe, as with other areas, depends primarily upon the efforts of individual British firms. The Government will continue to give them such assistance at home and abroad as we can.

That reply is not wholly satisfactory. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his predecessor did a great deal to encourage expansion of trade with East European countries? In order to apprise himself of the great potential for capital goods and consumer goods in Eastern Europe, would the hon. Gentleman perhaps visit some of the East European capitals during the recess?

I am well aware of the hon. Lady's great interest in this matter and of what my predecessor did. Whether I shall be able to pay a visit during the recess remains to be seen, but I will bear in mind what the hon. Lady says.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now taken steps to set up an office of his department in East Berlin.

No, Sir. Since Her Majesty's Government do not recognise the East German régime, it is not possible for any Department of Her Majesty's Government to establish an office in East Berlin.

That, again, is a rather blind spot reply. As we have now signed a three-year trade agreement with this country which we say we do not recognise, and as there is great hope of trebling the trade in both directions in the very near future, does not the hon. Gentlemen think that the implementation of this proposal would be well worth while for British trading interests and British industry?

We cannot set up an official office while we do not recognise the East German régime. If the hon. Lady wants to pursue the point, she should table a Question to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. However, trade with East Germany has been increasing without an office. I know that the C.B.I. and the London Chamber of Commerce have been investigating the possibility of setting up a private office, and the results seem to be fairly encouraging.

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I was giving sympathetic consideration to encouraging, not necessarily the setting up of a Government office in East Berlin, but the C.B.I. and others to have a trade office there. If we are to get the maximum benefit from the agreement made by the C.B.I. and the East German authorities, is it not absolutely essential that we have an office there?

That is precisely one of the things which we shall discuss with the C.B.I. If industry considered that it would be useful to have a private office and that it would increase trade, then it would have our support.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on trade with South Africa.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on British exports to South Africa.

The Government's policy is to encourage further expansion of our trade with South Africa.

I welcome that reply, but would not my right hon. Friend agree that it is wholly hypocritical to build up trade with another country and then refuse to supply arms to the co-signatory of a defence agreement?

I cannot go further than the statement which my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary made to the House on Monday.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the rate of growth of imports to this country from South Africa is greater than the rate of growth of our exports to that country? Why should we not press for a greater number of exports to be allowed into that country, not including arms—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"]1—because of the growing imbalance?

If the hon. Gentleman has studied the figures, he will know that we have had a favourable trade balance with South Africa for a large number of years. Nothing that he says, or that I say, will diminish the importance of increasing our exports to South Africa.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of British trade in the nearest convenient year and 10 years previously with Africa north of the Zambesi and Africa south of the Zambesi, respectively.

As the answer contains several figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. It shows that between the years 1959 and 1969, for both areas, imports roughly doubled in value whilst exports increased by about three-fifths.

Is it not a reasonable conjecture that over the next 10 years as the economies of the under-developed countries improve trade with countries north of the Zambesi could increase at a considerably faster rate than it has improved over the last 10 years provided that the Government do nothing to jeopardise our political links with them?

I am not certain that this can be inferred from what has happened in the past. I hope that our exports to those countries will greatly increase, but there is a great deal of evidence that exports increase fastest to the more developed countries.

Will my right hon. Friend consider publishing in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures showing the development of French trade with countries north of the Zambesi, particularly since the time that France has been selling arms to South Africa?

I am sure that if my hon. Friend puts down that Question on the Order Paper, we shall be able to supply him with the information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of all insurance companies which made political contributions in 1968 and 1969, respectively, indicating amounts paid and to which political organisation.

I have no information for 1969. For 1968, the hon. Member will find the information he is seeking in Volume 3, No. 1 of "Economic Brief", published by the Labour Party.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that those figures will probably be more accurate than the figures which he would provide? When can these companies expect the pay-off from this Government?

I do not think that any company or trade union necessarily expects a pay-off. They want a good Government.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that this continual sniping at insurance companies is unnecessary as they contribute so much to our invisible export trade?

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman would try to bring the league table of principal Tory donors up to date to show whether the performance of the bankers and brewers, who between them gave £250,000 to the Tory Party last year, can be bettered?

My predecessor in office did not think that it was a suitable use of officials' time and of public funds to produce a report and do a job which was, no doubt excellently, done by the paper to which I have referred.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy on and timetable concerning the building of the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the proposed National Exhibition Centre.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will undertake a re-examination of the site of the National Exhibition Centre.

Her Majesty's Government have reconsidered—in the light of the substantial progress made by Birmingham and of further representations made by the Greater London Council—the undertaking given on 28th January to support the proposal for a National Exhibition Centre near Birmingham. I have already announced the Government's intention to support the Birmingham project.

Can my right hon. Friend say when the project will actually commence, what period of time will be occupied by the building, and in what year he expects the new exhibition to become operational?

I wish I could give my hon. Friend all the information for which he asks. The selection of this site for the centre was very much influenced by the fact that it was likely to be far the soonest in operation: I regard that as important. The problems of building time and of obtaining planning permission and so on are for the National Exhibition Centre Ltd. However, I am visiting this organisation on 31st July to encourage it to do everything it can to speed up the process.

Has the right hon. Gentleman done any more research than his predecessor did to satisfy himself that this centre will not be a vast white elephant? If he is satisfied that it will not be a white elephant but a commercial success, does that mean that there will be no Government intervention?

It was the only sensible thing which the Labour Party did.

I studied with great care the research which my predecessor did. A great deal of work was done. Whether my predecessor saw it or not I cannot say, but I saw it. I have discussed the problem with the Greater London Council and other interested parties to make myself as familiar with the matter as it is possible to be at the time.

But did the right hon. Gentleman discuss this matter with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services who has pointed out that the trade associations and main exhibitors were nearly unanimous in their opposition to the present site? Did he take that into account, or does he not speak to his right hon. Friend about these matters?

On the contrary, I speak regularly to my right hon. Friends. The fact that most people in the exhibition world would prefer it to be in London does not necessarily mean that London is the only possible site. I believe passionately that some things should be developed outside London for this and many other reasons.

A very good answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what new steps he will take to increase exports, visible and invisible, and re-exports; and if he will make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has for the promotion of exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what specific new export incentives he is proposing; and if he will make a statement.

The Government recognise that our success in exports depends on the efforts of British industry and commerce, and we will fully support their endeavours.

Does my right hon. Friend recognise that the balance of payments is now running into squally weather, aggravated by the dock strike?

And a Tory Government.

It is nothing to do with the Tory Government. Would my right hon. Friend particularly examine the possibility of restoring export incentives—that is, the restitution to exporters of the element of indirect taxation contained in manufactured goods exported from this country, which was scrapped so prematurely by the Labour Government?

I entirely accept my hon. Friend's view of the extreme importance of our balance of trade figures now, in the past, and perhaps for many months to come. Therefore. I shall examine with my right hon. Friends any useful suggestion to make certain that we do not miss any opportunity of improving our position.

What advice has the right hon. Gentleman given the banks about whether they or the Government should continue the low 5½ per cent. interest rate to exporters? Is he aware that many small exporters are finding it extremely difficult to obtain this form of export incentive?

No answer has as yet been given to the banks. This problem will undoubtedly be considered with them fairly shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the motor industry concerning stimulation of exports; and what reply he has sent.

None, but my right hon. Friend has today received a copy of a paper addressed to the Ministry of Technology by the motor industry on its current problems.

The hon. Gentleman must be aware that disquiet is being voiced by the motor car industry, particularly when one has regard to the promises made by right hon. and hon. Gentlemen opposite when they were in opposition. May we take it that there has been a change of mind by the Government on this issue?

I am not aware to what change of mind the hon. Gentleman is referring because I am not certain what he has in mind. All I can tell him is that my right hon. Friend will study the paper that he has received in consultation with the Minister of Technology. My Department and the Ministry of Technology are in regular contact with the motor industry on export matters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make an official world tour in support of Great Britain's export drive; and what proposals he has for assisting in the growth of British exports.

I shall be visting a number of countries on trade matters. The aim of our commercial and export promotion policies is to assist the essential growth of British exports.

I wanted some sort of tangible answer but I have nothing whatever in that reply. The right hon. Gentleman may be a good travelling Minister, but that will not bring us exports. What action, what programme, what policy does he intend to pursue?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the Board of Trade has a most comprehensive service to help industries which wish to export. We shall encourage them. I have answered the rest of the hon. Gentleman's question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that when he goes to these other countries he will do as he did on a previous occasion and wear his kilt?

That depends on the weather.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise the importance of export credit facilities in making exports possible, and will he give a clear undertaking before the recess that our export credit facilities will be no less under his Government than they were under the previous Government?

I can give no such undertaking. Conditions change considerably, and, as this Government are likely to be in power for the next 15 years, changes may well be required.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean by that that the Government have proposals for curtailing present export credit facilities?

Certainly not. We realise that the amount of money being advanced in this way has been increasing very greatly, and as our exports expand, the money will need to increase also. I have no doubt about that. What I cannot guarantee permanently is the rate of interest.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will initiate talks with the National Farmers Unions about soft fruit imports;

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture is primarily responsible for contacts with the agricultural and horticultural industries on matters of general policy. I understand that he has already arranged to meet the National Farmers Union to discuss horticultural matters.

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that answer because it shows clearly that the Department is taking a better view of horticulture than has been the case in recent years. However, on the point raised in Question No. 11, may I ask him specifically whether he is aware that the recent increase in imports has done nothing to reduce the price for the consumer, and at the same time has done a great deal to upset the home producers' market?

I can only tell my hon. Friend that up to the end of May—the figures for June are not yet available—the level of imports of soft fruit did not show any increase. It was almost exactly the same as in 1968 and 1969—in fact, slightly lower.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding the future of British airlines.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied with the operation of the present legislation controlling civil aviation operations in this country; and if he will make a statement.

I shall announce the Government's proposals as soon as possible.

Will my right hon. Friend explain what he means by "as soon as possible"? Will it be before the House rises for the recess? Second, will he give an assurance that if there is to be any change in the authority which deals with the route licensing pattern the announcement of that change will be made to the House, whereas the other matter may be a purely commercial one?

The answer to the second part of my hon. Friend's question is that I certainly hope so. The answer to the first part is that the negotiations are continuing, but I cannot anticipate them coming to any conclusion before the Houses rises.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if he waits until after the recess to make his announcement to the House of Commons that will be four full months after the election of his party to office? There is tremendous uncertainty in the industry and among operators. Will he follow the excellent example of some of his Ministerial colleagues and introduce the legislation which was in course of preparation by the previous Government?

The answer to the second question is "No". Nothing that I have yet seen is anywhere approaching being ready for introduction. The answer to the first question is that I realise the urgency of the matter, but I cannot come to a conclusion before the House goes into recess. If decisions have to be made on commercial issues before the House returns, they will have to be made during the recess.

On the question of legislation, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is the Government's intention to introduce a comprehensive Bill covering civil aviation—namely, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Airways Board together—or will the Government separate that legislation? Second, if the B.U.A.-Caledonian talks come to a successful conclusion during the recess, will the right hon. Gentleman give the House the assurance that there will be no B.O.A.C. transfer of routes before the House has been consulted on the matter?

I think the right hon. Gentleman realises that no transfer of routes could possibly take place before then. On the other matter, we have to wait and see what Government time is available, and what legislation is to be fitted into it.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the great urgency with which the decision is awaited in the independent airline operating sector, and also of the uncertainty which hangs over the future of the Air Registration Board, which has served this country's civil aviation so well for so long?

I am fully aware of both those considerations. We have been working very hard to try to get these points cleared up, but there has not been a great deal of time to deal with these difficult and complex problems.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which industries will benefit on Great Britain joining the Common Market; and which will not.

Most British companies which are competitive in world markets should benefit from the greater opportunities offered by entry into the European Economic Community. Those industries which are contributing to the rapid expansion of our exports to Western Europe should be well placed to do even better.

That answers only half the Question. I am concerned with what industries will not benefit. As the Government are now appearing to make up their mind about these matters rather more quickly than the previous Government did, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether the Government are thinking of issuing another White Paper setting out the advantages of going in, and whether, economically speaking, these are quantifiable yet?

I accept my hon. Friend's rebuke that my reply answers only half his Question. I very carefully did not include specific industries, in case they thought that I was saying that they were either not competitive or not doing enough work in trying to push exports. This is a problem in which, quite often, industries are not to be judged as a whole. Some parts of an industry do extremely well, while other parts of it are a little less good.

The right hon. Gentleman must be aware that what is worrying people in Scotland is not the industries that will benefit if we go into the Common Market but those that will not; for example, the coal mining industry and the agricultural industry. The right hon. Gentleman must have knowledge of this as he is a Scottish Member of Parliament.

I profoundly disagree with the hon. Gentleman's remark about the agricultural industry. Perhaps my Scottish background makes me feel that we are the most efficient part of the agriculture industry in Britain. I am certain that we are competitive and will do well.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation with regard to inertia selling; and if he will make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy in regard to the prohibition of inertia selling.

We would be as helpful as possible to any private Member who introduced a suitable Bill on this subject, based on the one considered in the last Parliament, but I can hold out no hope of Government time being available in the present Session.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there was great disappointment on both sides of the House, amongst consumers and amongst business men that the last excellent Inertia Selling Bill did not become law, which I accept was no fault of his? Will he also bear in mind that the completely bogus directory firms has begun to operate again? Why do not the Government now give time to introduce a Bill themselves to stamp out this disreputable practice and to protect the public from what is becoming a growing nuisance?

I am aware of the concern about this matter, and indeed of the excellent work which the hon. Gentleman did. I believe that his Bill, excellent though it may have been, required considerable drafting assistance, and such assistance will be available to any private Member who cares to take this up. I should not like the House to be under the impression that the bogus directory is perhaps quite so widespread, or quite so deliberate a practice as imagined. It is by no means quite so widespread. The Government will be as helpful as they can in providing the assistance of draftsmen, but we do not consider that it is a sufficient problem at the moment to justify the Government giving time in the present Session.

Questions and answers must be brief.

As both sides of the House collaborated closely in the last Parliament in passing the Inertia Selling Bill through all its stages through the House, will the Government consider testing opinion in another place by seeking to introduce a Bill there?

It is always open to another place to introduce a Bill if it thinks fit, but at the moment we very much hope that someone who is successful in the Ballot in the autumn will take up the Bill.

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the subject on the Adjournment as soon as I can.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what number and tonnage of ships flying the British flag were sold secondhand to overseas owners in 1969; and how far the average price obtained was above that in 1968.

A total of 105 vessels of 831,000 gross tons were sold to overseas shipowners in 1969. Comparable information about average prices is not available.

Do not the figures show that this is a very good moment for the modernisation of the merchant fleet with newly-built tonnage, and will the Government do what they can to encourage that process in order to get a purely modern merchant fleet?

I am glad to say that this is exactly the reaction of British shipowners. Against the tonnage that was sold and the relatively small amount that was scrapped, no less than 2,741,000 gross tons were added to the British merchant fleet in 1969, most of it modern.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will undertake a publicity campaign regarding the safeguards that are available to housewives as shoppers.

Not at the moment, but I will bear the suggestion in mind.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968, was one of the most useful Measures passed by the last Labour Government and conferred on housewives many benefits of which they are not fully aware? Will he, therefore, if he wants this Government to justify their claim to be the friends of the housewives, do something to publicise the very substantial advantages that this Act confers?

I am well aware that the Trade Descriptions Act, which was supported by my party—as I know, because I was on the Committee at the time—is working well and, indeed, confers many benefits on consumers. But what with the Consumer Council, the Consumers Association and other bodies, there is today more information available to the consumer than there has ever been. Nevertheless, I will bear in mind the hon. Member's suggestion, but I must look at the subject with a view to the expenditure that would be involved.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us what has happened to the Housewives' League? Is he aware that, whatever safeguards are available to the housewife, they are certainly not to be found on the benches opposite? What have he or his colleagues done about insurance and other price increases, petrol price increases, meat price increases, and the whole range of increases going through in the last three weeks?

I can only say that the Housewives' League is not the responsibility of the Board of Trade, and also that on 18th June the housewives had their opportunity to express their opinion.

Will my hon. Friend recognise that any benefits bestowed on the housewife by the last Government were purely negative, and will he give an asurance that this Government will bestow positive benefits on the housewife?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. I agree with the first part of her supplementary question. As to the second part, I hope that she will not be disappointed at the end of this Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will seek powers to initiate an inquiry into package tour holidays and set up a permanent committee to deal with complaints and enforce a code of conduct.

I do not consider that there is a need for an inquiry of this kind, or for a permanent committee. The number of complaints about package tours is very small compared with the number of holidays taken each year by United Kingdom residents. However, I will keep the matter under review.

Is the Minister of State aware that his answer is complete nonsense, and that these complaints are sent not to the Board of Trade but to Members of Parliament and others? Is he aware that I can provide him with a large dossier on this subject, and that it is estimated that this year 250,000 holidaymakers are due to have their holidays interfered with, without redress, because of negligence or insufficient service by the tour operators?

I would suggest that the hon. Member's duty is to pass the information to the Government Department concerned, which is the Board of Trade. If he does so, I shall certainly look into the complaints.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give a general direction to the National Film Finance Corporation to use its powers to set up a corporate body for the purpose of acquiring film studios.

The National Film Finance Corporation has not the power to establish a body corporate for the purpose of acquiring film studios. My right hon. Friend cannot, therefore, give a direction in the sense proposed.

I did not ask the Minister of State to give a direction. I asked about what I believe to be the mistaken restrictions that he suggests exist upon the powers of the National Film Finance Corporation. Although, as I say, I believe his reply to be inaccurate, it was not as unsympatheic as it might have been, so will he look into the question again?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I have looked at the legal position very carefully, and I think it is clear that as the National Film Finance Corporation has not the power to buy film studios, it must follow that it cannot set up subsidiary bodies to do what it is itself not allowed to do.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will select flight paths from Luton airport which avoid flying beneath the Heathrow control zone.

No, Sir. Under present arrangements, aircraft operating from Luton airport to the airways system are not required to fly beneath the London terminal control area. The routeing of aircraft northwards out of the London terminal control area after westerly takeoff is impracticable for safety and operational reasons, and would increase noise disturbance to Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard.

Can my hon. Friend explain why aircraft from Luton airport are flying at below 3,000 ft. for 15 miles across my constituency, producing noise intolerable by day and quite unacceptable by night?

I have obsolutely no evidence that they are flying so low or for so long, but if my hon. Friend will provide me with evidence I will look into it and try to identify the aircraft concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will retain the present flight paths from Luton Airport until he has received the report of the Roskill Commission on the siting of the Third London Airport.

The choice of precise flight paths from Luton airport is a matter for the owners, Luton Corporation, within the overall pattern of airspace arrangements laid down by the Board of Trade. Operations from a third London airport are many years off and are not, therefore, relevant to the short-term pattern of flights from Luton.

As there is increasing noise, even on the present flight paths out of Luton, can my hon. Friend say whether the Government have any plans for accelerating the development of quieter aero engines either by ourselves or in conjunction with other Western European countries? Will he press for quieter engines in short haulage jets flying from Luton airport?

My hon. Friend will be aware that from next January an Order is to come into force which will restrict the noise of new aircraft coming into operation substantially below existing levels. This will entail, we hope, a gradual quietening of aero engines to something like 50 per cent. of the noise level in relation to the some weight of aircraft as at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to give effect to outstanding recommendations of the Jenkins Committee on company law reform in the current session of Parliament.

As stated in the Queen's Speech, the Government are reviewing company law. We will consider the outstanding recommendations of the Jenkins Committee and the desirability and timing of further legislation, and will announce our conclusions later.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that, as far as I know, no Government have ever found time to introduce two companies Bills? Will he therefore try to ensure that this companies Bill, when it comes forward, deals with all the extra protection recommended by the Jenkins Committee for the minority shareholder in publicly-owned companies, and preferably goes further than Jenkins, so that we can have companies legislation which is a spur to the sort of share-owning democracy that we on this side so urgently want to see?

I am well aware of my hon. Friend's interest in and knowledge of this subject—we served together on the Committee some years ago—and he may rest assured that we shall bear in mind the advice he has proffered.

What further action does the Parliamentary Secretary intend to take in the matter of disclosure by large companies?

This is one of the matters which are to be considered in our review which is taking place.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards trade with Africa.

Our policy is to expand our trade with Africa.

Will not the President of the Board of Trade agree that there is very welcome evidence that our trade with Africa, other than with the Republic of South Africa, is doing increasingly well? Will he not also agree that there are many opportunities, north of the Zambesi in particular, still to be exploited which are not yet being exploited by Britain but which are being exploited by our competitors? In view of this, would he not agree that it would be lunacy to jeopardise these opportunities by totally unnecessary policies towards the Republic of South Africa which can only be regarded as hostile by the rest of the continent?

The figures of trade between countries north and south of the Zambesi come into a later Question, but I can at this stage tell the hon. Member that both sets of figures have been increasing at almost exactly the same rate.

Will my right hon. Friend ensure that political considerations are not allowed to interfere with trade with any country?

I should like to be able to believe that politics and trade never interfered with each other, but I think that this is asking the House too much.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to reduce air fares on flights of which the fares are fixed in accordance with agreements made by members of the International Air Traffic Association.

I trust that the existing machinery can be used to secure international agreement to the lowest air fares consistent with the safety and prosperity of our airlines.

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is time there was some investigation into the way in which air fares are fixed by I.A.T.A.? Is it not the case that in the majority of cases these air fares are excessively high and that this causes hardship to people taking their holidays and other forms of travel?

I agree that it is possible to think of endless criticisms of I.A.T.A. Nevertheless, it is not easy to think of a better organisation to conduct this necessary function. However, I greatly welcome the B.O.A.C. Early Bird proposals and hope that these will set the trend for a number of similar reductions.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that air fares in Australia, for example, are rather less than half those of the European structure? Will he use his best endeavours to "put the boot" into I.A.T.A. to see if we can get some sanity into this business so that we can get into the mass market, as many hon. Members want to see?

I am always willing to look for opportunities to "put the boot" into all sorts of things.

Tory skinheads.

If the hon. Member for Feltham (Mr. Russell Kerr) will look at some of the Australian fare structures, he will find that they will do very well when in partnership with B.O.A.C.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation requiring travel agents and estate agents to hold all moneys received from clients' deposits in a separate trust account.

I should prefer to watch the development of the voluntary bonding schemes in these sectors before deciding whether statutory control is necessary.

Is not the President of the Board of Trade aware that there is concern about this and that concern has been expressed by the Consumer Council? Is he aware that there is holding of more than one deposit on a house by estate agents? Will he look further into this?

Yes, of course I will. As I am sure the hon. Member knows, the Edwards Report particularly suggested a new system of bonding, and there are many other aspects of this problem. Perhaps as a result of pressure in this House, things have improved a great deal in the last year. We are looking at this at the moment, and will try to improve matters further.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what assistance he will give to exporters of British footwear to Japan.

The full range of Governmental aids to exporters is available to exporters of British footwear to Japan.

Will the Government make clear in the trade discussions with Japan that we do not accept their arguments about the quota restriction on footwear imports, which violates every principle of international trade?

I understand the point made by the right hon. Gentleman. I believe he has made it earlier in the House. In the current trade negotiations with Japan we are pressing for improved access for British footwear.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he intends to take in the matter of the proposed increases in premiums announced by leading insurers.

As I told the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Mr. John) on 16th July, we are not proposing to take any action on this matter.—[Vol. 803, c. 258.]

Does the hon. Gentleman recall that a short time ago some remarks were made by him and his hon. and right hon. Friends about holding down the cost of living? Is he now saying that he is to do nothing when there is a proposed 25 per cent. increase in insurance premiums for motorists? Will he not do something in this do-nothing Government?

What I do know is that the Board of Trade has a statutory duty to ensure that the financial position of motor insurance companies is sound. Their financial position could be damaged if premiums were held down during a period of rising costs.

Is it not a fact that the object of the increase of 25 per cent. in motoring insurance is to make the whole operation financially viable and no more? Is it not a disastrous policy to cause insurance companies to lose money heavily due to the carelessness of motorists?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his comments. Hon. Members opposite should bear in mind that one of the difficulties of the insurance companies has been the increases in cost caused by direct action by the previous Administration, particularly by selective employment tax.

When are you to take it off?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of complaints from residents in the Ongar parishes of Essex about increasing noise at night and in the early morning from aircraft using Stansted airport; and whether he will take action to reduce it.

Several prolonged periods of easterly winds and the seasonal increase in air traffic at Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow may have contributed to an increase in disturbance in the Ongar area, but we have had few complaints about it. I am, however, determined we shall spare no effort in keeping aicraft noise disturbance within bounds.

Is my hon. Friend aware that I have received quite a number of complaints? Does not the distress caused to my constituents and others reinforce the need to put future airports near the coast and also to press on with v.t.o.l. aircraft?

My hon. Friend says that he has had a lot of complaints, but so far as I am aware he has passed only one to the Board of Trade and that is the only one we have received. As to his suggestion about the location of airports, I beg him to look at some of the evidence of noise before he rashly runs into assumptions.

Oh.

ask the Minister for the Civil Service how many businessmen he has now recruited into the Civil Service; and what salaries they are being paid.

Six, Sir. I am circulating details about them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As far as their salaries are concerned, discussions are taking place with the companies concerned on the basis that the Government will contribute in each case approximately two-thirds of the total cost of the individual to the company.

A complete waste of money.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the recruitment of businessmen is in conformity with policies enunciated by Governor Reagan to the Institute of Directors last year, where he received a standing ovation, and will the hon. Gentleman say how many more of Governor Reagan's Goldwater-type policies his Government will be implementing?

The hon. Gentleman seems to have forgotten that his own Government recruited businessmen. It is a perfectly sensible line, which most modern Governments are taking, and I am sorry he is against it.

Did the hon. Gentleman say that the Government would pay at least two-thirds of the salary these businessmen were receiving in business, and does that mean that there might be some salaries higher than what the Prime Minister is getting—and he is getting far too much?

I did not know about the hon. Gentleman's opinion on that point. The details of these salaries have yet to be finally decided, and information about them will be laid before the House when they have been fixed.

Is my hon. Friend aware also of the increase in value for money achieved by Governor Reagan when he brought businessmen into his administration?

I am aware of that. From the taxpayer's point of view, I have no doubt that all these businessmen will give excellent value for money.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what proposals he has for redeploying Civil Service posts to the Fylde Coast.

None for redeploying, Sir, but we expect to locate a central group to administer new attendance allowance work at the Department of Health and Social Security offices in Blackpool.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the inhabitants of the Fylde Coast will welcome that announcement, and will he bear in mind that the Fylde Coast fulfils all the requirements listed by the Location of Offices Bureau as necessary for the siting of office employment?

I thank my hon. Friend for that observation. I am aware of the point he makes and I shall bear it in mind.

What effects in this respect does the hon. Gentleman expect to come from the introduction of the unified grading structure? Second, will he deny reports that the Government are dragging their feet in this matter?

The relation of the unified grading structure to this point is a bit obscure. If the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question about it, I shall be pleased to answer it. I have not heard the report which he asks me to deny, so I certainly would not wish to deny it.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what progress has been made in the review of the number of civil servants employed; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service which Departments have been instructed to produce cost reduction plans.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Halifax (Dr. Summerskill) on 9th July.—[Vol. 803, c. 842.]

Will my hon. Friend take it that, while we wish to see the review conducted in a humane and orderly fashion, it is essential that a decision should be reached as soon as possible to end uncertainty and to show that Her Majesty's Government mean business in this important matter?

I realise that, but we must look into the question in an orderly and systematic way. We intend to look at possible economies in all Departments and all areas. When we have reached clear and sensible decisions, we shall announce them.

Will the businessmen recruits to whom the hon. Gentleman has referred be in any way subject to the Civil Service rules, and what will be their relationship to the Civil Service?

They are based in the Civil Service Department, but they are responsible directly to Ministers.

asked the Minister for the Civii Service why he will not take steps to reduce the salaries or extend the working week of part-time chairmen and members of statutory boards who spend only two days per week at their part-time work and as chairmen receive £6,000 per annum.