asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will now authorise the sale, under suitable safeguards, of surplus service uniforms, without their being mutilated, to bona fide musical organisations such as youth drum and trumpet corps.

I am afraid that there are no surpluses of suitable uniforms at the moment.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what was the number of men of the Regular Army and of the Ulster Defence Regiment involved in arms searches in each of the last four weeks.

The numbers of Regular troops involved in arms searches in each of the past four weeks were as follows: week ending 3rd October, 400; week ending 10th October, 470; week ending 17th October, 672; week ending 24th October, 701.Members of the Ulster Defence Regiment are not used for searches of land or buildings although they are employed in arms security checks on vehicles. Statistics of these checks are not available.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what improvements in equipment, especially for night operations, for the Ulster Defence

Improvements in equipment for the Ulster Defence Regiment in the last six months include the provision of marshalling lamps and flashing lights, as well as other night visibility aids. Searchlights have also been installed on some vehicles. Additional vehicles, trailers and radio sets will also shortly be issued.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what was the number of applications received for the Ulster Defence Regiment to the latest convenient date; how many have been from Roman Catholics; how many have been from former members of the Ulster Special Constabulary; and how many have been from ex-servicemen.

As at 23rd October, 7,262 applications to join the Ulster Defence Regiment had been received. Of these, 1,530 were from Roman Catholics, 3,015 were from former members of the Ulster Special Constabulary, and 1,898 were from ex-servicemen.

asked the Minister of State for Defence (1) what was the number of men enrolled into each battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment, to the latest convenient date; how many of these, by battalion, were formerly members of the Ulster Special Constabulary: and how many ex-Service men;(2) what is the number of men who have resigned from each battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment to the latest convenient date.

The information is as follows, as at 23rd October:

asked the Minister of State for Defence what was the number of members of the Ulster Defence Regiment who were on active duty during the weekend 10th to 13th July, inclusive.

The numbers varied from day to day. For the four days from 10th to 13th July inclusive, the totals were 526, 636, 904 and 844.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what was the number of new applications received for the Ulster Defence Regiment in each of the last six weeks.

Starting with the week ended 18th September, the figures are 51, 38, 36, 50, 50 and 69, respectively.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether the Ulster Defence Regiment is yet at full strength; and whether he plans to create a Reserve List from among those who make subsequent applications.

The U.D.R. is still being built up. The question of a Reserve List accordingly does not arise at present. No suitable applicants are being turned away.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about the gas canisters washed up on the coast of the Isle of Wight during August.

About 200 6-lb. tins of ferric chloride—a non-toxic substance and not a gas—which has been used for de-scaling in Royal Navy ships, were washed ashore in August. The incident occurred because of the failure to observe standing instructions prior to dumping and disciplinary action is being taken. New arrangements for disposal have now been made and no more stores of this type will be dumped in the sea.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on recent incidents in which dangerous discarded naval stores have been washed ashore on beaches.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer already given to-day to the hon. Member for Waltham-stow, East (Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson).

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will examine the procedure of applications for discharge from Her Majesty's forces on compassionate grounds, with a view to more applications being granted.

This is one of the questions covered by the report of the Donaldson Committee. My noble Friend said yesterday that he hopes to make a statement on the report as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will ensure that no Service man is paid less, through withdrawal of separation allowance or any other allowance, as a result of being posted to Northern Ireland on an emergency tour for internal security purposes.

A Service man's rate of basic pay remains the same wherever he is posted, but certain forms of additional pay and certain allowances may vary according to the job he has to do and the location in which he has to do it. Hitherto it has not been the practice to pay separation allowance in respect of separated service within the United Kingdom. However, these rules are now being reviewed.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what plans he has made to see that an undue proportion of the burden of internal security duties in Northern Ireland does not fall on infantry regiments.

Internal security duties are normally most appropriately performed by the infantry. In the difficult circumstances created by the emergency in Northern Ireland, units of other arms and of the other two Services have also performed these duties and will continue to do so.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what was the outcome of his recent discussions with his European colleagues about contributions to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation: and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend attended a very useful meeting with his European N.A.T.O. defence colleagues on 1st October. Among other things they agreed that it would be valuable if the European members of N.A.T.O. could expand their participation in the common defence effort. They agreed to consider how each country might best contribute.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the report of the board of inquiry into the damage to H.M.S. "Conqueror"; and what action will follow the report.

A confidential report has been made by the board of inquiry and this is under consideration with the Ministry of Defence. But I can assure my hon. Friend that those recommendations aimed at tightening security precautions are already being implemented.

asked the Minister of State for Defence by what date he expects each of the three Services to have centralised and computerised their pay calculations.

The pay of Army and Royal Air Force personnel is already centralised and on computers. Similar arrangements for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines will start next year and be completed by the end of 1972.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the estimated capital cost to the Exchequer of establishing a Royal Defence College at Greenwich as proposed in the Howard/English Committee's Report to his Department.

As announced in 1968 (Cmnd. 3701, Section VIII, paragraph 66), this project was abandoned. I regret, therefore, that no up-to-date costings are available.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many fitter drillers (electrical) at Her Majesty's Dockyard, Portsmouth, were prevented from carrying out their trade due to lack of work; how many have left the dockyard; how many have been given other work and how many are still unemployed; what is the cost to public funds to date; and what is the present weekly cost.

Of the 17 electrical fitter (drillers) originally affected by the trade union representations, three have left the Dockyard and 11 are employed on other work. The wages of the three who remain without work are £65 per week, a total of £4,300 since the dispute arose. Steps are being taken to resolve the situation.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the negotiations concerning the future status of apprentice group instructors in the Royal Naval Dockyards.

As I said in my letter to the hon. Member of 24th September, 1970, discussions have been reopened with the staff association as a matter of urgency to find an agreed solution to this long-standing problem. These are still continuing.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the progress of productivity negotiations with representatives of civilian employees in Royal Naval dockyards and establishments in the Portsmouth area.

Agreements covering R.N. Armament Depot, Priddy's Hard, R.N. Aircraft Yard, Fleetlands and the Port Auxiliary Service have been signed and are in operation. The general manager's departments in the Dockyard are covered by a draft agreement which is in the final stages of negotiation. Invitations to negotiate agreements have been issued to the trade union representatives at all naval research and development establishments in the area, including the Admiralty Surface Weapon Establishment.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the future pay structure for apprentices in Royal Naval dockyards.

It has been agreed with the trade unions on the Joint Co-ordinating Committee for Government Industrial Establishments that the pay of apprentices in the Royal Dockyards shall be on an age basis at fixed percentages of the craft rate. The new rates are now being paid with arrears back to 1st July. 1970.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the future of the Beira patrol.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer already given today to the hon. Members for Kingston-upon-Hull, West (Mr. James Johnson) and Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison).

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the total estimated increase in the cost of the United Kingdom's new defence commitments.

About £20 million to £25 million a year. As the White Paper presented yesterday explains, this cost is more than offset by savings.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether, in view of the successful trials of the marine version Jaguar at sea with the French Navy, he will change the Navy Department's existing plans and order this aircraft for the Fleet Air Arm.

No. Requirements for the Fleet Air Arm will be met without purchase of additional fixed-wing aircraft.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he is reviewing the arrangements for handling the sale of British defence equipment through Ministry of Defence (Sales); and if he will make a statement.

In August we reorganised the Ministry of Defence element of the sales organisation on to a geographical basis instead of a Service basis. Defence sales activities will be included in the review of the Defence Procurement Organisation referred to in paragraph 27 of the White Paper on The Reorganisation of Central Government (Cmnd. 4506).

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will now undertake not to build a fifth Polaris submarine and not to convert the existing Polaris submarines to Poseidon multiple warheads.

No.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will now give an undertaking that no nuclear rôle is foreseen by the Government for the Royal Air Force, and that this country deploys and will deploy no nuclear weapons other than those carried on Polaris submarines committed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

No.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether the proposed Anglo-French nuclear weapon will be within the strategic control of the two countries or within that of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

The Government have no proposals for an Anglo-French nuclear weapon.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what are the terms of the commitment of the Polaris submarines to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

The Polaris force is committed to N.A.T.O. and this commitment will be maintained. But it would not be in the public interest to publish the detailed arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps substantially to increase police pay.

Police pay is a matter in the first instance for consideration by the Police Council for the United Kingdom, which is now engaged in negotiating new scales of pay to take effect from 1st September, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports he has received from chief constables as to the required increase in the basic pay of police in order to eliminate vacancies in authorised establishments.

None, but five chief officers of police serve as advisers on Committee C of the Police Council, on which the pay of the federated ranks of the police is negotiated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the recruitment figures for the police forces; and if he will give these for the years 1968, 1969 and 1970 to the latest date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the fact that police forces throughout the country are below the required establishment, he will now make a statement on his plans to improve recruitment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to increase recruitment in the police service; what steps he is taking to prevent wastage; and if he will make a statement.

Against an authorised establishment of 109,229, the provisional figure of deficiency in police strength in England and Wales on 30th September was 15,958.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he had yet decided whether to grant the undermanning allowance to Birmingham police.

My right hon. Friend proposes to await the outcome of the Police Council's review of undermanning allowance before deciding whether to approve any additional cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has in mind for arresting the shortfall in recruitment of the Metropolitan Police; and if he will make a statement.

I attach great importance to police recruitment. The results of recent publicity campaigns at national and local level have been encouraging and I intend to ensure a continuing recruitment effort in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of the West Yorkshire Constubulary as to the number of policemen under his control at the latest available date, the number required to bring the police force up to full strength, and figures for the same period in 1964, 1966, 1968, and 1969.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police left the force in the last five years before reaching pensionable age in order to obtain more lucrative employment; whether he is aware that over 700 men will be entitled to leave the Lancashire Constabulary on pension within the next three years; and what steps he is taking to stop the decline in numbers of the police force as a whole.

Since the beginning of 1966, 14,321 policemen have left the service in England and Wales before qualifynig for a pension and I have no doubt that pay is a factor in many cases. I am aware of the position in Lancashire and I propose to do all in my power to see that police strength is increased.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable on what is the present authorised strength of the Durham County Police Force; by how many it is below strength; and what was the wastage, in the last full year for which figures are available, of resignations before age of retirement.

The authorised establishment is 2,686 and the strength at the end of September was 2,543. Premature wastage in the twelve months ending on 30th September, 1970, was 80.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to institute standard conditions of service for all police forces in the United Kingdom.

The Police Council for the United Kingdom, set up under Section 4 of the Police Act, 1969, already exists to consider pay, allowances, leave and hours of duty in the police service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister and/or the Minister of Home Affairs of Northern Ireland during the recess of the problems relating to the effective maintenance of security in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his most recent discussions with the authorities in Northern Ireland regarding security arrangements.

I have continued to keep in close touch with events in Northern Ireland and my right hon. Friend the Minister of State paid a five-day visit to Northern Ireland at the beginning of September. I have met Northern Ireland Ministers on two occasions during the recess. Our talks, which were wide-ranging, were confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his recent conversations with the authorities in Northern Ireland.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, East (Mr. McMaster) and the hon. Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Barnes).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement about his further consultations with the authorities in Northern Ireland.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, East (Mr. McMaster) and the hon. Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Barnes).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if to facilitate the entry of Commonwealth visitors, he will establish special passport control points at ports of entry for those possessing documentary proof that they will be returning to their country of origin within three months.

No. I do not believe that such an arrangement would be practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement with regard to Government policy towards gaming and the Gaming Board.

The Government approve, and intend to maintain, the general system of control established by the Gaming Act, 1968, in which the Gaming Board has a crucial rôle. There are a number of matters relating to the detailed exercise of the controls about which I have received representations. My right hon. Friend is consulting the Board about them, but is not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now make an order under Section 40(2) of the Gaming Act, 1968 to permit clubs engaged in offering low-powered gaming to charge a daily entrance fee of 1s. per person.

Yes. My right hon. Friend proposes to make an order to increase from 6d. to 1s. the sum prescribed in Section 40(2) of the Gaming Act, 1968. This increase will have effect from 1st January, 1971.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland asks me to say that he proposes to take similar action.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now seek to amend the Gaming Act in favour of small bridge clubs.

I cannot at present add anything to the Reply given to the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Eastbourne (Sir C. Taylor) on 23rd July.—[Vol. 804, c. 186.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the sources of information regarding the population and distribution of otters and other wild mammals upon which his Department's estimates are based.

On matters of wild life conservation my right hon. Friend looks primarily for advice to the Natural Environment Research Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now take steps to bring about early implementation of the proposals from the Houghton Committee with regard to long-term foster parents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now introduce legislation to amend the adoption laws.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to alter the present laws relating to foster parents and children in their care; and if he will make a statement.

The provisional proposals of the Departmental Committee on the Adoption of Children were published last week for comment, and do not represent the final or unanimous views of the Committee. I think it right to await the Committee's final report, which will be prepared in the light of the comments it receives, before considering legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet received the interim report of the departmental committee on the adoption of children, and whether he will make a statement on its recommendations.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to the hon. Members for Glasgow, Gorbals (Mr. McElhone) and for Accrington (Mr. Arthur Davidson) and for Blyth (Mr. Milne).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the operation of the law regarding the sale of firearms; and if he will make a statement.

The sale of firearms is strictly controlled by law. My right hon. Friend is keeping the operation of the controls under review but has at present no changes to propose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation banning the public sale or transfer of military and non-sporting firearms.

The purchase and possession of these firearms are already subject to strict controls.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will begin issuing licences under the provisions of the Conservation of Seals Act.

My right hon. Friend has so far received one application and has granted it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to seek to enable those away from home on holiday at the time of an election to have their votes recorded by proxy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now introduce legislation to enable electors on holiday to have postal votes.

Absent voting for those on holiday involves a number of practical problems. My right hon. Friend is seeking the advice of the Electoral Advisory Conference, which includes representatives of registration officers, returning officers and the three main political parties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports he has received from Returning Officers as to the feasibility of those wishing to go on holiday at the time of a general or municipal election having a postal or proxy vote, and the likely minimum time required for the registration of such a vote.

This matter will be considered by the Electoral Advisory Conference, on which acting returning officers are represented.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give an estimate as to how many persons were disfranchised at the recent General Election because voting took place when a large number of people were on holiday; and if he will now take steps to revise the law so as to permit persons to vote when away from their homes on holiday.

Although I have seen unofficial estimates of the number of people away from home on holiday ranging from 1½ million to 500,000, no official figures are available. My right hon. Friend is arranging for the matter raised in the second part of the question to be considered by the Electoral Advisory Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation in this session to illegalise hare-coursing.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to have the report of the committee which is studying the law relating to privacy; and if he will take interim steps to prevent offensive matter being sent unsolicited through the mails.

It is too early to fix any firm date, but the Committee hopes that it will be possible for it to submit its report by the end of next year. My right hon. Friend will keep under review the issue raised in the second part of the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that electoral registration officers compile accurate electoral registers and that sufficient resources are devoted to these ends.

Electoral registration officers are well aware of their statutory responsibilities and have all the guidance, powers and resources they need, but an accurate register depends also on householders giving accurate information and on people checking the electors lists when these are displayed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will discuss with the British Medical Association and the Pharmaceutical Society the establishment of a central register of persons suffering from drug dependence.

Under the Dangerous Drugs (Notification of Addicts) Regulations, 1968, medical practitioners are required to notify the Chief Medical Officer at the Home Office of the names of persons whom they consider, or have reasonable grounds to suspect, to be addicted to any drug controlled under Part I of the Schedule to the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1965. The Home Office keeps a record of these notifications.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what grant in aid has been made to date to the Immigrants Advisory Service.

Provision was made for £75,000 for this financial year. About £20,000 has so far been advanced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a suitable building has yet been found to house women on remand in the Midlands.

No, but the search is still continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the number of officials duly qualified to deal with the numbers of visitors now coming to Great Britain; whether their instructions require them to make these visitors welcome; and if he will make a statement.

Although the complement of immigration officers has been increased in recent years, the continuing steep rise in passenger traffic has led to delays at some ports during the summer. Immigration officers have standing instructions to treat visitors with courtesy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to facilitate the entrance of British passport holders in East Africa into this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state his policy with regard to the operation of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1968 and the entry into Britain of East African Asians holding British passports.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in preparation for his new legislation on immigration, he will make a further statement about the Government's current policy on British passport-holding Asians from East Africa.

I have this matter under consideration but am not yet ready to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now introduce a system of independent reviews of complaints against the police.

I am not yet ready to make a statement on this matter. The procedures for dealing with complaints against police officers are currently under review by a working party of the Police Advisory Boards.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make an examination of the methods and practices used by returning officers in regard to the conduct of elections, polling day arrangements, the count and other associated matters, with a view to seeking to make improvements.

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any need for such a general examination.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend the Obscene Publications Act so as to make it an offence to distribute pornographic literature to primary school children; and if he will make a statement.

It is already an offence to distribute obscene material and the age of the recipients is relevant in determining whether the material is obscene.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy regarding varying the present internal controls over the movement of Commonwealth citizens working in this country.

As explained during the debate on the Address on 3rd July, it is the Government's intention to secure that Commonwealth citizens admitted for employment come for a particular job in a particular place and that their stay may be extended only if they remain in approved employment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the hon. Member for West Ham, North wrote to him on 18th July regarding a constituent's parking difficulties and that it was not until 27th July that he sent formal acknowledgment stating that the matter had been referred to the Commissioner of Police; why it took 11 days to inform the hon. Member that his letter had been passed on; and whether he will expedite the giving of such formal communications in the future.

I think that the hon. Member must be referring to his letter dated 16th July which was received on 17th July and acknowledged on the same day. The letter of 27th July informed him that the matter he raised had been referred to the police for inquiry so that he would be aware that a final reply could not yet be sent. I do not think that the correspondence shows any need to alter the current practice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to restrict the sale of hypodermic syringes to persons of 18 years of age or over.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of the West Yorkshire Constabulary as to the number of crimes committed in the West Yorkshire Constabulary area for the six months ended 31st May, 1970, how many were listed as crimes of violence, and the numbers for the same period for 1964, 1966, 1968, and 1969.

The only available figures relate to indictable offences for a period of six months ending 30th June in each of the years in question. Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with Football League officials about violence at football grounds.

The purpose of my meeting with the football organisations and chief officers of police at the beginning of the season was to discuss what could be done by football clubs to cut out hooliganism. I emphasised the value of proper co-operation with the police and with the railway authorities and I have left the clubs in no doubt that it is for them in the first place to decide who should be admitted to their matches.With the co-operation of the football organisations I am issuing a questionnaire to all major clubs on the practical steps they have taken to give effect to the recommendations of the Lang Report and to other suggestions made to them about ways of dealing with misbehaviour by supporters both inside and outside their grounds. I intend to keep a careful watch on the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he intends to take to reduce hooliganism at football matches in the 1970–71 season.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to a Question from the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. William Price).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to end violence and hooliganism at football league matches; and if he will make a statement regarding his meeting with a Football League delegation on Thursday, 13th August.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to a Question by the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. William Price).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the rôle of employees of Securicor in connection with the supervision of immigrants who are refused entry into this country; to whom such employees are answerable; and what is the annual remuneration paid to Securicor for such services.

Securicor employees, in uniform but carrying no weapons, look after and escort persons who are detained for purposes of immigration control, in pursuance of authority given under paragraph 4 of the First Schedule to the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962, and Article 8 of the Aliens Order, 1953. They work under the supervision of the Immigration service. It would be contrary to practice to disclose the payment made to Securicor Limited under this contract.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what basis and for what purposes his Department employs Securicor Limited; whether these men wear uniforms and carry truncheons and other weapons; and under what statutory authority he employs these men on police duties.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Hackney, Central (Mr. Clinton Davis).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigrants, originally visiting the United Kingdom by charter air flights, have remained, illegally, in this country; how many were from Mauritius; and if he will make a statement.

This information is not available. Special steps are taken to check up on visitors on charter flights who fail to embark on the return flight.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been taken by the manufacturers of fireworks to increase safety precautions since 5th November, 1966.

Certain types of firework have been modified or discontinued; packaging and labelling of fireworks have been improved; the manufacturers have asked retailers not to sell bangers until after 1st October; and each year they have conducted an extensive publicity campaign. This year, they are distributing posters and leaflets to draw attention to a new firework safety code which has been prepared in consultation with the Home Office and interested safety organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now take steps to amend the Representation of the People Act so as to restrict university undergraduates to registration on only one roll of local government electors.

I am well aware of the problem which my hon. Friend has in mind, but it has to be considered in the wider context of the law of residence and I cannot hold out hope of early legislation on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many probation hostels there are in existence in the county of Cheshire; and how many vacant places there are available in these hostels.

One, at Timperley. It provides 19 places for youths aged between 15 and 18 years. There are no vacancies at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements have been made for hearing the appeal by Mr. Rudi Dutschke about the refusal to extend his stay in this country.

As my decision in this case was taken both in the interests of national security and on grounds of a political nature, I have come to the conclusion that I should direct, under Article 8(1) of the Aliens (Appeals) Order, 1970, that Mr. Dutschke's appeal should be heard by the special panel of the Appeals Tribunal nominated by the Lord Chancellor and the Home Secretary jointly under Section 9 of the Immigration Appeals Act, 1969. I have also felt obliged to certify under Article 8(3) of the Order that the disclosure to the appellant of certain matters relating to the case would be contrary to the interests of national security. Where such a certificate is given the Order provides that those matters shall be presented to the tribunal without being disclosed to the appellant and that the relevant part of the proceedings may take place in the absence of the appellant and his representatives. Subject to that, while the conduct of the proceedings is a matter for the tribunal, my own wish is that as great a part as possible of the appeal proceedings before the tribunal should take place in public.In accordance with the appeal procedure, a written statement of the facts relating to my decision and of the reasons for it will be sent to the tribunal and to the appellant. It will then be for the tribunal to take the necessary steps to deal with the appeal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will reconsider his decision to compel Mr. Dutschke to leave this country; and whether he will make a statement.

It would not be right for me to comment on the merits of this issue pending determination of the appeal which has been entered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he is aware that entry certificate officers at Rawalpindi require signatures of children under 15 years of age seeking entry to the United Kingdom and that the British High Commission refuses to accept signatures of solicitors in England on their behalf; and if he will give instructions that this practice should cease;(2) if he will end the practice by which entry certificate officers dealing with applications from intending immigrants require proof of intended marriage in the form of a letter from a registrar of marriages in England, in view of the fact that the Registrar General has given instructions that such letters should not be sent.

Practice on both these matters has now been altered. My noble Friend the Minister of State has written to my hon. Friend explaining the position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will indicate the scale of diminution of immigration into Great Britain in the first nine months of 1970 compared with preceding years; and if he will obtain reports from chief constables as to what steps have been taken since June, 1970 to arrest the rising tendencies for illegal entry of immigrants and smuggled entry, notably of Asiatics via European ports.

Figures for last month are not yet available. During the first eight months, the number of Commonwealth citizens admitted to the United Kingdom for settlement was 24 per cent. less than in the first eight months of 1969 and 44 per cent. less than in the corresponding period of 1968. I am in close touch with chief constables about illegal immigration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why permission has been granted to Miss Natalie Makarova to immigrate into this country on her request to improve and develop her art and financial position; and how many British Commonwealth citizens have been refused entry on similar grounds.

Miss Makarova's application to extend her stay in this country was granted in accordance with our traditional attitude to such a request by a foreign artiste of international repute. I cannot trace a comparable Commonwealth case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in future, when publishing the annual statistics of offences relating to motor vehicles, he will include the offence of failing to have and display a current Road Fund licence; and whether he will also give the total annual amount of fines imposed each year with the amounts outstanding from previous years.

The annual volumes of the Criminal Statistics show the number of persons proceeded against for the offence of using or keeping a vehicle on a public road without a licence and the number of persons fined. Statistics of the offence of using or keeping a vehicle on a public road without exhibiting a motor vehicle licence are published in the annual Return of Offences relating to Motor Vehicles, which shows the total amounts of fines imposed. Information about the amounts of these fines outstanding from previous years could not be provided without disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what basis the products of prison workshops are costed; what steps are taken to ensure that unfair competition does not result; and to what extent these manufacturers have produced losses or profits up to date.

The general rule is to charge the market price for prison products and avoid taking an undue share of the market for any one product. In addition, the financial returns of prison industries are carefully constructed so as to take full account of the abnormal overhead costs, and the aim is to improve profitability as quickly as possible. The total loss on prison industries has been progressively reduced in recent years and was £320,000 in 1969–70, though this progress is threatened by the increase in the prison population which has led to the overmanning of workshops.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give, for the latest convenient stated date, the total amount of fines imposed by the courts; how much of such fines were still outstanding for payment at any given date; and how much of the outstanding amount was for fines where the fine period for payment had expired.

The amount of fines and fees outstanding in England and Wales outside Inner London, including amounts not yet due for payment, was £5,434,049 on 30th June. The other information asked for is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will propose new measures to combat crimes of violence.

Research and analytical work is in hand which may result in better preventive and corrective measures. But a good and efficient police service must be our main defence against crimes of violence, and it is my right hon. Friend's aim to improve police strength by all possible means.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what action he has taken or will take to implement Her Majesty's Government's policy on crime prevention;(2) whether he will state the cost to date of the campaign initiated by the police on television and in the Press to request the public to assist the police in enforcing the law; and what has been the response;(3) whether he will give details of the number of television broadcasts that have taken place this year, the numbers of Press advertisements placed and the costs involved in calling upon the general public to assist the Metropolitan Police in enforcing the law up until 28th October, 1970; and how this expenditure compares with a similar period during the calendar year 1968–69.

A national crime prevention publicity campaign, costing about £150,000, is at present being held and there have so far this year been 136 television broadcasts and 80 press advertisements. It is not restricted to the Metropolitan Police District, and there was no corresponding national campaign last year. It is as yet too early to assess the results.With the advice of the Home Office Standing Committee on Crime Prevention, my right hon. Friend has also given help and encouragement to the wide variety of activities in this field undertaken by police forces.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet received the report of the Law Commission on Vandalism; and what action he proposes to take.

The Law Commission's Report on Offences of Damage to Property is being carefully studied, but my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for reports from chief constables concerning the numbers of offences of vandalism and assaults reported to the police, also the numbers of offenders apprehended for these offences during 1970.

A wide range of statistics relating to such offences is being collected and will in due course be published in the Criminal Statistics for 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been convicted of acts of violence against publicans or managers of licensed premises in each of the past five years.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the representations Her Majesty's Government received, following the English Heraldic Congress, he will seek powers to prevent the commercial and other misuse of the Union Flag.

My right hon. Friend has received no representations on this matter. It seems to me to be one for individual discretion and good taste.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the increasing amount of time and energy being wasted upon the part of the police and of the waste of public money, in answering the recurring false-operating burglar alarms; and whether he will seek to impose on the firms and persons concerned a charge for more than one false alarm on any given week.

False calls from burglar alarms certainly place a burden on the police, but I think there are better ways of reducing them than by imposing charges.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fall-out suits are stockpiled; what is the rate of manufacture; what plans he has for distribution; and whether it is his policy that every person in the United Kingdom shall have a suit.

I do not know what the hon. Member means by a "fall-out suit". No clothing capable of protecting the wearer from the effects of fall-out is manufactured or stockpiled in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what authority the Metropolitan Police use their private vehicles unlicensed, uninsured, and without road worthy certificates and park these on yellow banded areas.

The law relating to vehicle excise, third-party insurance, test certificates and parking applies to vehicles privately owned by members of police forces when used for private purposes as it applies to those of other members of the public.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken or intends taking to prevent the growing practice of police using their private vehicles whilst unlicensed, in view of the details supplied to him of this offence by the hon. Member for West Ham, North.

Any such offence alleged by the hon. Member, or anyone else, is fully investigate if enough detail is given; I have no reason to think that the practice is either prevalent or growing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will obtain from chief constables reports on the extent to which their forces keep records of persons not convicted of any crime, as has recently been done by the Devon police.

My right hon. Friend is well aware of the procedures normally followed by the police, and sees no occasion for any special inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for so amending Section 6 of the Race Relations Act, 1938, as to give the Race Relations Board discretion as to whether or not to investigate complaints submitted to it under Section 6 above.

The Race Relations Board has recommended that the Act should be amended to give it discretion whether or not to investigate individual complaints. This recommendation is being considered but I can give no indication of what the outcome will be.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will say when the hon. Member for West Ham, North may expect to have a reply as to what action for enforcement of the law the police have taken since his report on 28th May, 1970, affecting a company and a policeman, details of which have been supplied to him.

A reply to this and other letters from the hon. Member was sent on 23rd October.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call for reports from chief constables on the refusal of the police to enforce the law when requested to do so by members of the public, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North.

If the hon. Member is referring to his letters of 20th and 23rd October, he will know that copies of the letters he enclosed have been sent on to the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis—who must decide what action, if any, should be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable stating in what circumstances, for what purpose and by whom, was authority given for photographs to be taken by the police of certain persons entering or within the precincts of the Durham Magistrates' Court on 21st October, 1970.

The Chief Constable of Durham has instituted an investigation under Section 49 of the Police Act, 1964, into the complaint received about this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North with the representations from Councillor Tom A. Jenkinson concerning police road safety teams in the London Borough of Newham; what action he intends to take; and whether he will make a statement.