asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the total amount of saving to the Treasury on cereals deficiency payments in 1970–71 on the basis that the present high price level of cereals is maintained.

The forecast out-turn of Government expenditure on cereal guarantee payments in the United Kingdom for 1970 is now expected to be between £45 million and £50 million less than that set out in the published estimates.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to raise the dog licence fee to £2 a year, with concessions for retired people.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 3rd November—[Vol. 805, col. 338.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will introduce legislation to extend the jurisdiction of district sea fisheries committees to all that part of the sea where Great Britain claims exclusive fishing rights in relation to mobile food resources.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department is undertaking into the development of marine fish-farming techniques.

My Department is carrying out basic research on techniques for the artificial rearing of flat fish such as plaice, soles and turbot, and also of a range of commercially valuable molluscs and crustaceans. Development work is being carried on by the White Fish Authority.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy in relation to the proposal that the fisheries research function of his Department should come under the aegis of the Natural Environment Research Council.

I am reviewing my Department's fisheries research function, and will arrive at decisions in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, who has responsibility for the Natural Environment Research Council, and other Ministers who have an interest in marine research.

asked the Minister of State for Defence when he expects to be able to publish the actual detailed costs of the two officers, two warrant officers, nine non-commissioned officers and thirty-one sappers and guardsmen and equipment used to clear the refuse in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets recently; and what were the total inclusive costs which were charged to the local authority concerned.

We are in correspondence with the local authority and I expect to be able to write to the hon. Gentleman soon.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the West German Government with regard to support costs of British troops in the British Army of the Rhine; and if it is his policy to seek 100 per cent. support costs and offset.

An agreement supplementing the present Anglo-German Offset Agreement in respect of the return of 6 Brigade to Germany was signed on 25th September. The future of offset after the expiry of the current agreement on 31st March, 1971, next year will be discussed with the Federal Government at the appropriate time.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what steps he is taking to warn off foreign trawler fleets from the British Petroleum gas pipeline that is adrift on the seabed of the North Sea.

I understand that no gas pipeline is adrift on the seabed of the North Sea.Clear warnings of the dangers of trawling near gas pipelines are issued by the Hydrographer of the Navy. British Admiralty Charts for the area mark the position of all oil and gas pipes and drilling rigs with the caution.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether, in view of the increasing congestion in the shallow seas around the coast, he will provide the Hydrographer of the Navy with the necessary funds to undertake a comprehensive precision survey of the North Sea and the English Channel.

The Hydrographer is primarily concerned with surveying to meet the needs of the Royal Navy and defence resources do not provide for a comprehensive precision survey which goes beyond foreseeable naval requirements. However, as effort is available he is undertaking initial surveys of routes used by deep draught vessels in the North Sea and the English Channel.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what steps he has taken to ensure that knowledge gained by his Department in the field of marine science and technology is made available to civil operators.

The Ministry of Defence make this information available in two ways. First, through the Committee on Marine Technology which is sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry with representation from the Natural Environment Research Council, the Ministry of Defence and the National Research Development Corporation, and has close contacts with industry. Secondly, through the Techlink scheme, under which the Department of Trade and Industry distributes information about technical ideas and discoveries in this and other fields.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many vessels the Royal Navy employs on fishery protection duties.

The United Kingdom fishery limits are patrolled by six mine countermeasures vessels of the Fishery Protection Squadron based at H.M.S. "Lochinvar". This effort is occasionally supplemented by other ships. Distant water patrols are conducted by frigates of the Western Fleet during the main fishing season.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will give an assurance that in any proposals he makes for increases in the salaries of the higher-paid military officers these amounts should not exceed £2 15s. per week.

No.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what was the weather forecast of the likely conditions for the journey of the Dutch ship "Hereford" express from Londonderry to Glasgow and the gale force when she went aground on rocks off the Mull of Kintyre.

I understand that the ship went aground in the early hours of Thursday, 29th October, 1970. The sea route from Londonderry to Glasgow lies within the sea area Malin for which the following forecasts, each for 24 hours ahead, were broadcast by the B.B.C. on 28th October:0640—Winds north-west to north, force 4 or 5 becoming variable force 3 then south-east to south force 4 or 5 later. Some scattered rain. Visibility good.1355—Winds variable force 3 becoming south-westerly force 5. Occasional rain. Visibility good becoming poor.1757—Winds south-easterly force 4 to 6 veering south-west force 5 to 7. Occasional rain. Visibility moderate.At Machrihanish, the nearest point where observations are made, a 15 knot south-easterly wind (force 4) was recorded at 0100 on 29th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate has been made of the cost to local education authorities in salaries to be paid to teachers in lieu of sickness benefit for the first three days of certified sickness.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment to his similar Question in respect of all local authority employees—[Vol. 805, c. 449.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in view of her recent decision concerning the future of old primary schools, she

It is for the Lancashire Local Education Authority to determine what schools it needs. The county's programme of projects to be started in 1971–72 which I have just approved includes 22 primary schools at a cost of £1·9 million. This is the second largest allocation to a county.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many applications were received by local education authorities in the years 1960 to 1969, inclusive, for discretionary awards for courses up to and including first degrees; how many were given major awards, minor awards and maintenance allowances, respectively, each year in the period 1960 to 1969, inclusive; and how many applicants were refused financial assistance of any kind in each year in the period 1960 to 1969, inclusive.

No information is available about the total number of applications received or the number rejected. The number of full-value awards and lesser-value awards granted by the local education authorities in England and Wales to students attending full-time and sandwich courses at universities and further education establishments at undergraduate and lower level and current in the year shown is as follows:will now authorise improvement to or replacement of Elston Primary School, Nottinghamshire, built over 130 years ago.

My hon. Friend is considering a project at this school for the 1972–73 programme. She hopes to reach a decision very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of primary and secondary schools, respectively, built in England and Wales for each year since 1951, and the number of school places so provided in each case.

The information required is given in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will now publish a White Paper indicating anticipated total expenditure on educational services by the central Government and local authorities, both current and capital, in the various sectors, primary, secondary, further and higher education, for each of the next four years.

I must ask the hon. Member to await the publication of the annual White Paper on public expenditure which will appear later in this session.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the average weekly hours of work of bakery workers.

The latest date for which information is available is October, 1969. Following is the information requested:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the approximate cost to the national wage bill, respectively, of restoring the differentials between skilled workers and low-paid workers consequent on the effect of the family income supplement scheme.

I would not expect the family income supplement scheme to have any effect on the national wages bill.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for making compulsory the use of headlights during fog.

None at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list how many categories of road traffic offence exist, other than moving traffic offences, which carry either endorsement or disqualification.

The main categories of traffic offences carrying either endorsement or disqualification are listed in the First Schedule to the Road Traffic Act, 1962 which has been amended in detail by subsequent enactments. With the exception of offences under Section 16 of the Road Traffic Act, 1960 (leaving vehicles in dangerous positions) the offences there listed may be committed while the vehicle concerned is in motion. Parking and waiting offences do not carry either endorsement or disqualification.

asked the Secretary of of State for the Environment what proposals he has to afford greater protection to tenants in furnished accommodation.

This subject is now being studied by the Committee on the Rent Act chaired by Mr. Hugh Francis, whose report I shall wish to study before making any proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether in future he will consult with the Members of Parliament concerned before making any decisions relating to the South-East Lancashire and North-East Cheshire Passenger Transport Authority.

Views expressed to my right hon. Friend by hon. Members concerned will certainly be taken into account in reaching such decisions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will redraw the area covered by the South-East Lancashire and North-East Cheshire Passenger Transport Authority so as to exclude the independent county borough of Bolton.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will initiate a study into the practicability of a limited experiment in the provision of free public transport in the South-East Lancashire and North-East Cheshire Passenger Transport Authority area.

No system of public transport is free. It is simply paid for by ratepayers or taxpayers as opposed to the travelling public. I have no plans for such an experiment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, showing the mileage in respect of each, those local authority motorways or lengths of motorway in use, under construction, motorways schemes confirmed by the Minister, and those made by the local authority and submitted to the Minister for confirmation, respectively.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to abolish the present Greater London Council and restore the former London County Council.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of the land acquired by the Land Commission in the Borough of Chesterfield; and what plans he has for its disposal.

It is not the Government's practice to disclose the price paid for specific land purchases.The land at Chesterfield was acquired without the use of compulsory powers and part of it has been sold to the local authority; the rest will be put up for sale by auction in accordance with the present policy for the disposal of the Land Commission's holdings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total amount of effluent per year discharged in the bay at Hartlepool by Glaxo Chemicals Limited; and what other methods of discharge into the sea are practised by this firm or any other chemical firm from other parts of the United Kingdom.

The discharge to Hartlepool Bay is made under arrangements agreed between Hartlepool County Borough and the firm. This is a local agreement for the reception of effluent into the public sewers; its terms are not subject to my approval and I have no details of the quantity of effluent involved. As to the second part of the Question, industrial effluents including those of chemical firms where discharged into the sea are so discharged through the public sewerage system or through private outfalls or by dumping at sea.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now resign from the Mannet Committee for a United States of Europe.

I think it is useful to attend the meetings of this Committee from time to time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any discussions have yet taken place with the Six on the Werner Report.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that the Common Market's Executive Commission has published an official report stating that its plans for a European economic and monetary union can be adversely affected by inflation within the Six; whether he will circulate to hon. Members a copy of this report; to what extent this report affects Her Majesty's Government's policy towards British entry into the Six; and whether he will make a statement.

The Report of the Commission of the European Community on the European Economic Community Third Medium Term Programme, to which the hon. Member is presumably referring, does not affect Her Majesty's Government's attitude toward British entry into the European Communities. We are endeavouring to obtain copies which will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as they are available.On the general question of progress towards closer co-operation on economic and monetary matters, the position of Her Majesty's Government was set out in the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster's statement to the Communities in Luxembourg on 30th June (Cmnd. 4401).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards jurisdiction of the deep sea floor following the failure of negotiations within the United Nations' Seabed Committee.

The work of the United Nations Sea Bed Committee has not yet advanced very far, but it is certainly premature to speak in terms of failure. I cannot therefore usefully add to my reply on 4th November to my hon. Friend and my reply on 2nd November to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeet).—[Vol. 805, c. 266; Vol. 805, c. 398.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in negotiations with the Republic of Ireland for the division of the sea floor with Great Britain in the Irish Sea and St. George's Channel.

Proposals were put to the Government of the Republic of Ireland in 1965 that negotiations should be opened for the delimitation of the Continental Shelf in the Irish Sea and St. George's Channel. Although some informal discussions were held, it was clear that the Irish Government were not ready to open formal negotiations at that time. A further informal approach was made in Dublin recently, and there is a possibility that this may lead to more formal negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in negotiations with the Danish Government for the division of the sea floor between the Shetland Isles and the Faroes.

At the time of the negotiations with the Danish Government in 1965, which resulted in an Agreement for the delimitation of the Continental Shelf under the North Sea between the United Kingdom and Denmark, it was not considered necessary to discuss the division of the sea floor between the Shetland Isles and the Faroes. The principal reason at that time was the considerably greater depth of the sea in this area, amounting to over 1,000 metres, which rendered it highly improbable that exploitation of the sea bed would be economically feasible in the immediate future.This situation still obtains, and there have been no proposals from either side to open negotiations on this question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the official proposal of the Icelandic Government that coastal States should enjoy exclusive fishing rights in all the waters overlying their Continental Shelf.

Her Majesty's Government's policy is based on the Convention on the Continental Shelf adopted at Geneva in 1958, which was ratified by the United Kingdom and came into force in 1964. Article 3 of that Convention states that the rights of the coastal state over the continental shelf do not affect the legal status of the superjacent waters as high seas. Moreover, the United Kingdom agreed by means of an Exchange of Notes in March, 1961, that Iceland should have exclusive rights over fisheries within a 12-mile zone.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek to initiate a common European approach to the problem of jurisdiction over the Continental Shelf, slope and rise in the north-east Atlantic.

I am aware of the interest which my hon. Friend has in this particular aspect of the problem. However, our efforts in the United Nations Sea Bed Committee, in common with those of other European countries, are directed towards the solution of the question of limits to national jurisdiction and of an international regime for the sea bed beyond those limits on a fully international basis rather than a regional one.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will announce the membership of the Parliamentary Group currently visiting the 25th General Assembly of the United Nations.

The following Members of Parliament are making a two-week visit to the General Assembly as members of a Parliamentary Group:The hon. Member for Tonbridge (Mr. Hornby, leader).The hon. Members for Esher (Mr. Mather); Montgomeryshire (Mr. Hooson); Sutton, Plymouth (Dr. Owen); West Bromwich (Mr. Foley).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the action to be taken by the Government with reference to the work of the Advisory Council on the Penal System concerning prison sentences.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the recent report of the Advisory Council on non-custodial and semi-custodial penalties. I welcome this Report as a most constructive review of the possibilities in present circumstances of developing alternatives to the custodial treatment of offenders. I have begun discussions with interested Departments and representative organisations, on the various recommendations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the gross national product per head of population in each of the 20 leading nations, including Great Britain in 1959 and 1970, respectively, from information available to him from international sources.

Figures for 1959 are given in the table below. Figures for 1970 are not available but those for 1968, the latest year for which information is available, were given in answer to the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Dixon) on 27th October and are repeated below.Estimates have been converted from national currencies to United States dollars at current exchange rates, but this does not necessarily give a comparison of differences in the standard of living as these exchange rates may not reflect differences in internal purchasing power. In making comparisons between these figures for 1959 and 1968 for particular countries, it should also be borne in mind that they reflect not only the real growth of the gross national product but also changes in prices and any changes which may have taken place in the official exchange rates against the United States dollar.—[Vol. 805, c. 25.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will publish his estimate of expenditure on investment incentives in development areas in 1973–74 under his new proposals as compared with what it would have been under the investment grant system;(2) whether he will publish the calculations on which he based his assessment that the differential in investment incentives in favour of development areas is maintained by his proposals of 27th October.

The gross cost of the regional differential element of investment grants paid in development areas in 1969–70 was £100 million. The net value to industry was somewhat lower because annual writing down allowances on capital expenditure are given net of grant payments. Had investment grants continued at current rates, the gross cost of the regional differential element in 1973–74 would probably have risen to around £130 million at constant prices.The new measures which my right hon. Friend announced on 27th October should maintain the value of differential assistance in development areas at a level no less than the value of the differential element in the grant scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further steps he proposes to take to ensure that the introduction of decimalisation does not lead to price increases.

The Decimal Currency Board will continue to remind traders that decimalisation need lead to no overall increase in price levels and to urge the use of the Shoppers' Table for retail price conversion wherever practicable. The Board will distribute to the public a free guide to decimal money, containing the Shoppers' Table. Public and Press vigilance, the good example set by most traders and the pressures of competition will best deter unjustified increases.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the overcrowding in the out-patient department at Westmorland County Hospital. Kendal, he will state when new facilities will be provided.

Improvements to the outpatient department at Westmorland County Hospital, Kendal, form one of a number of schemes at present under consideration by the Manchester Regional Hospital Board for possible inclusion in their capital programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to ensure that the homes of all elderly persons likely to suffer from hypothermia are adequately provided against cold during the winter months; and if he will make a statement.

We shall shortly be issuing a circular drawing attention to the dangers of hypothermia and reminding local authorities and others concerned of the need to take precautionary action.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of prescriptions are dispensed for persons who are exempt from payment of the cost of these prescriptions.

About 52 per cent. in 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mothers and children at present qualify for free milk; and how many more will do so when the extensions recently announced become effective.

At present some 600,000 mothers and children are eligible for free welfare milk on grounds either of hardship or of family size. Under the new welfare milk scheme we expect the number to increase to about 750,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications under the National Insurance (Old Persons) Act, 1970 by men over 87 years of age and women over 82 years of age have been approved by the Wigan office of his Department.

Up to and including 4th November, 1970 our Wigan office had approved 134 applications under the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many applications by men over 87 years and women over 82 years of age under the National Insurance (Old Persons) Act, 1970 have been approved in the county of Midlothian;(2) how many applications for benefit under Section 1 of the National Insurance (Old Persons) Act, 1970 have been approved in the county of Midlothian.

Up to and including 3rd November, 1970, 1,350 claims under Section 1 of the Act had been approved by our offices in the county of Midlothian. In addition to men over 87 and women over 82, these awards include some women under 82 (the precise number is not known) who qualify either as the wives of men who are eligible or as the widows of men who would have been eligible if they had survived. The total figure is made up as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the annual wastage of trained radiographers.

Information is only available for net gains or losses. The latest available figures show that in 1969 there was a net increase over the previous year of 47 (whole-time equivalent) qualified radiographers in the hospital service in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that rents, rates, fares, food prices, coal, gas, electricity, telephones, postal and all other forms of service costs and consumer goods have risen in price during the past few months; and, as this will most adversely affect the retirement pensioners, whether he will take steps to increase retirement pensions or to give a special bonus of a double pension allowance for two weeks at Christmas.

Naturally we keep a close watch on prices. The effect of increases will be taken into account at the next review of pensions, due next year. My right hon. Friend has no plans for a special bonus at Christmas, but the increase in supplementary benefits from this week will help those who are the least well off.

asked the Secretary of State for the Social Services what estimate of uptake his Department has made in calculating the cost of the Family Income Supplement Scheme.

The estimate of cost given in the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum attached to the Family Income Supplements Bill 1970, allowed for uptake by up to about seven-eighths of those entitled.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now institute immediate negotiations for reciprocity with the United States of America for National Insurance benefits.

There is no scope for a comprehensive agreement, but in September, 1969, there was an Exchange of Letters with the United States about the payment of British retirement pensions and widows benefit in that country and the payment of United States pensions to citizens of this country who are living outside the United States.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services with what countries there are reciprocal arrangements for National Insurance benefits.

The countries are:Northern Ireland, The Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Cyprus, Malta, Bermuda, The Irish Republic, Belgium Denmark.Finland, France, The Federal Republic of Germany, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, The United States of America, Yugoslavia.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects the results of the manufacturer's clinical trials of rubella vaccine prepared in human diploid cells to be evaluated and published.

I understand that the manufacturer has evaluated the results and will shortly be taking steps to have them published.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider introducing an invalid vehicle for disabled drivers that will allow the carrying of one passenger.

The implications of providing an invalid vehicle with passenger-carrying facilities would be considerable and we have at present no plans to develop the service in this way.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated cost of converting an ordinary family motor car for use by a disabled driver.

The cost of converting a family motor-car to hand control is usually about £50, although it may vary considerably with the kind of car and nature of the disability. Other modifications might range from small mechanical changes of insignificant cost to restructuring of bodies costing hundreds of pounds. For some disabilities no modification is possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what regulations exist to prescribe a maximum number of patients for whom any doctor may be responsible at any one time, and particularly on night stand-by duty.

I have been asked to reply.The National Health Service (General Medical and Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations, 1966 (S.I., 1966, No. 1233 (S.88) provide that the maximum number of persons who may be on a family doctor's list, unless in exceptional circumstances, shall be specified in an allocation scheme prepared by the N.H.S. Executive Council for the area. The regulations also provide that this number should not exceed 3,500 for a single-handed doctor and 4,500 for a member of a partnership, with a limit of 3,500 on partnership average; there is an allowance of up to 2,000 for an assistant. There are no special provisions related to night stand-by duty.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will give a general direction to the Post Office to devise more modern methods of sorting mail, with a view to reducing the time spent by staff on such work.

No. The requirements in Section 9 of the Post Office Act, 1969 already cover this point.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will give a general direction to the Post Office to take steps to reduce the burden of producing new telephone directories which will be caused by the increasing use of postcodes in each postal district.

No. Compilation and production of telephone directories is a matter for the Post Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will issue a general direction to the National Coal Board to sell all investments which do not have a close connection with coal as a primary fuel.

As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Dodds-Parker) on 2nd November, I am considering the present range of activitities.—[Vol. 805, c. 255.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he will take to ensure competition in the products for the aircraft industry in which Rotax now has a monopoly.

I understand that in each of the main products with which Rotax is concerned it is already in competition with both British and foreign firms.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will list the equity shares at present held by the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if consortia arrangements to share the European markets for products required for the aircraft industry so that competition both national and international is eliminated have to have his approval before tenders for Government work may be considered.

Such arrangements would not require Ministerial approval, but most kinds of restrictive agreement relating to the supply of goods in this country, to which two or more United Kingdom firms are party, are a matter for the Restrictive Practices Court. So far as Government tenders are concerned, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aviation Supply is responsible for ensuring that the Government obtains value for money.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has yet decided to publish his inspectors' report into the affairs of the Pinnock Finance Company (Great Britain) Limited.

No, but I will decide as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many letters he has received from Members of Parliament, organisations and individuals regarding the affairs of the Pinnock Finance Company (Great Britain) Limited; if he will publish the inspectors' report on the company; and if he will make a statement.

About 400 letters have been received recently from hon. Members and about 10 from other sources. I will decide as soon as possible whether or not to publish the report of the inspectors.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he intends to take following the report from the Monopolies Commission on restrictive practices within the professions, Command Paper No. 4463, to introduce price competition in the supply of a professional service where it is not at present permitted.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Westmorland (Mr. Jopling) on 28th October.—[Vol. 805, c. 132–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware of the recent increase in noise levels at Manchester Airport; and what action he proposes to take.

I am aware that there has been an increase in activity at Manchester Airport which may have led to some increase in noise disturbance. Action to reduce noise disturbance is a matter for the owners, Manchester Corporation. I understand that they already operate a variety of noise abatement measures and are also considering others.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to compel wine bottles to carry a statement of the quantity of wine they contain and wine sold by the glass or carafe to be sold under a declared quantity and the delivery of a certificate of origin with each consignment of wine to the United Kingdom.

I am considering whether to require bottles to be marked to show the quantity of wine which they contain and to require restaurants to declare the quantity of wine in a carafe. I do not think that it would be appropriate for the Government at this stage to introduce the other controls suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to compel the owners of unincorporated concerns to display their names and addresses on all premises at which the concern's business is conducted.

I am not convinced of the need for such legislation; but I will consider any information the hon. Member may care to send to me on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what study his Department is making into the greater opportunities for export which will exist in the motor vehicle sector in the event of British entry into the European Economic Community.

Assessment of the export prospects for major industries, including the motor industry, is one of the continuing tasks of my Department and account is naturally being taken of the possibility of entry into the E.E.C. My hon. Friend will no doubt know that

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to compel estate agents to put up a bond to cover their financial liabilities and not hold more than one deposit on any one house.

I should prefer to watch the progress of the existing voluntary bonding schemes before deciding whether legislation is necessary at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to end the exemption from hall-marking which is at present enjoyed by gold and silver

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quantities of butter have been imported into Hong Kong from the countries of the European Economic Community in each month of 1970 so far; at what price; and how the price compares with that of Australian and New Zealand butter offered to Hong Kong.

Information about prices, whether quoted or actual, is not available. The average value per pound can be calculated for trade recorded in a period but differences in these average values may reflect differences in quality. Following is information on quantities, values and average values:lockets and rings which have stones set into them and to cause nine-carat gold to be described by a name other than gold.

Exemptions and the appropriate description of precious metal alloys are among the points being considered in the present review of hall-marking law, but I cannot yet say when legislation will be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to compel travel agents and tour operators to accept liability for the services supplied by their agents or principals.

The Law Commissions are considering whether there should be any control of exemption clauses in contracts of this kind. The need for legislation wil be considered in the light of their reports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the policy of his Department towards the application by Nypro (United Kingdom) Limited for an import duty on Caprolactam, in view of the fact that this company is the sole United Kingdom producer.

The import duty of 16 per cent. on Caprolactam is currently suspended. In considering whether this suspension should be renewed after it expires on 31st December, 1970, the interests of the United Kingdom producer and of United Kingdom users will be taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many educational psychologists are employed by local education authorities in Wales, the five counties of North Wales and Flintshire, respectively; if he will initiate a drive to obtain more educational psychologists; if he is satisfied that current practitioners have suitable conditions of work; if he is satisfied that current salary rates and training methods are attracting recruits to the service; how many children are currently in receipt of attention from educational psychologists in Wales and in Flintshire; and if he will make a statement.

The latest returns available, which relate to December, 1969, showed that there were 25 educational psychologists employed by local education authorities in Wales. The six counties in North Wales (Anglesey, Caernarvon, Denbigh, Flint, Merioneth and Montgomery) are served by a joint service run under the direction of the North Wales Hospital Board. The senior member of the educational psychologist's staff of this service is employed and paid by the Hospital Board, but the other six posts (of which two are at present vacant) are employees of the local authorities. The services supplied to the County of Flint are estimated to be equivalent to the full-time work of between one and two psychologists.The Summerfield Committee, which was appointed to consider the work, qualifications, training and supply of educational psychologists employed by local education authorities, recommended in 1968 a considerable increase in their numbers and in the places on training courses. Over the past five years the numbers on these courses have gone up by about one third. Even so, the applications from serving teachers for places on the courses considerably exceed the places available. It may therefore be assumed that the training methods, remuneration and working conditions of educational psychologists generally are sufficiently attractive. In particular areas, however, local authorities may have recruitment difficulties.The scales of pay recommended by the Joint Committee dealing with the remuneration of professional staff of local authorities allow a measure of discretion to the individual authority to offer salaries within the scales to take account of the level of responsibilities and any other special factors affecting a particular post.Information about the number of children receiving attention from educational psychologists is not available. The number of children known to have received treatment under child guidance arrangements during 1969 was 3,819 in Wales, of these 165 were in Flintshire.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the current quality and quantity and variety of wild life in the De Estuary; what is his estimate of the disturbance or elimination of this wild life when the De Barrage Scheme is initiated; if he is satisfied that all possible steps will be taken to safeguard wild life; and if he will make a statement.

The wild life in the estuary and possible effects on it of a crossing are described in the memorandum by the Nature Conservancy which forms Appendix Fl of the Report "Dee Crossing Study Phase 1" published by H.M.S.O. in 1967. The Conservancy has been associated with subsequent work and a further report will be made when more detailed studies have been carried out. The effects on wild life will naturally be among the issues to be taken into account when the proposal for a Dee Crossing comes to be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what spare capacity in the storage ponds for flood retention at times of high tide to avoid flooding agricultural land will be provided by means of separate or combined storage with tidal sluices in the proposed Dee Barrage Scheme.

The precise proposals in respect of storage capacity and the position of the tidal sluices will be made known when the consultants' recommendations are published in their forthcoming Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the effect of the Dee Barrage Scheme on coastal erosion and deposition.

It would be premature to make an estimate at this stage. The effects of various estuary shapes and of works within the estuary on accretion and erosion are being studied and the results of these studies will be incorporated in the consultants' report to be published next Spring.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the effect of the Dee Barrage Scheme on the salmon fishing industry; and what compensation will be payable to affected fishermen.

The scheme, if it is proceeded with would include fish passes and other devices and should not involve material interference with the salmon fishing industry. This matter will however be dealt with fully in the consultants' report and will be carefully considered along with other implications of the proposed crossing.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate has been reported to him by the river authority of the effect of the Dee Barrage Scheme on land drainage and agriculture.

Representatives of the Dee and Clwyd River Authority are in continuous consultation with the consultants on these aspects of the scheme, which will be dealt with in the consultants' report.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effect of the Dee Barrage project on navigation.

The need to maintain navigational facilities, in particular to the Port of Mostyn, is being given careful consideration as part of the current studies.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy towards the future use of desalination plants in Wales as a means of supplementing water conservation by other more conventional means and towards possible desalination plants on the Dee Estuary; if he regards desalination methods as an extra stage of conventional sewage treatment; and if he will make a statement.

On these matters I am advised by the Water Resources Board. It is expected that the Board will take account of the possible rôle of desalination in the study it is now carrying out of the water demands and resources of Wales and the Midlands, the report on which is to be published next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total acreage that is designated as National Parkland within Wales; and what percentage this is of the total acreage of land in the Principality.