asked the Minister for Posts and Telecommunications what is being done to improve B.B.C.1 television reception in the village of Dolton, near Okehampton.

The B.B.C. who are primarily responsible for improving the reception of their services tell me that good reception of B.B.C.1 should become possible in the Dolton area when the transmissions from Caradon Hill on U.H.F. with 625-line definition start next year.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether, in order to ease the difficulties of independent television, he will consider extending their present hours of broadcasting; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I shall certainly consider, in the context of the information which has been put to me about the financial position and prospects of the independent television industry, whether an increase in the hours of broadcasting would be justified; but it is too early yet for me to say.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what was the total cost of advertising the services of the Post Office during the financial year 1969–70; and what is the sum budgeted for the current financial year.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave my hon. Friends the Members for Pembroke (Mr. Nicholas Edwards) and Cannock (Mr. Cormack) on 9th November.—[Vol. 806, c. 34.]

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will take steps to deal with the constant interference in reception for Radio One in the Ipswich area.

I know that the service suffers from interference from a station in Albania. Unfortunately, repeated complaints to the Albanians have not led to any improvement.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will now make a statement regarding the Government's plans for the introduction of local commercial radio.

I would refer the hon. Member to my Answer on 9th November to the hon. Member for Nottingham, West (Mr. English) and to my hon. Friends the Members for Hendon, North (Mr. Gorst) and Ilford, North (Mr. Iremonger).—[Vol. 806, c. 29.]

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will give a general direction to the Post Office to exempt voluntary and charitable societies from increased postal charges.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will give a general direction to the Post Office to exempt charities from the new postal charges.

No. This would in the first instance be a matter for the Post Office and the Post Office Users' National Council and a general direction would not be appropriate. I am afraid I would see difficulty about nationalised industries being used in this way to assist private charities at the expense of their customers in general.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will give a general direction to the Post Office to reintroduce reply-paid postcards and to give adequate publicity to their advantages.

No, this is a management matter for the Post Office.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when he will announce plans for a second independent television channel.

The possibility of a second service of independent television is not excluded but I have no immediate plans for authorising it.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what new proposals he has to ensure a more efficient collection of broadcasting licences, in view of the estimate of the British Broadcasting Corporation Annual Report that £1 million annually is still lost through licence evasion.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the comment in the B.B.C.'s Report and Accounts for 1969–70 (Cmnd. 4520), that

"it was estimated that 1 million television households were still without a combined licence at the end of the financial year, and that this represented a loss of income attributable to evasion of the combined licence fee of some £6 million."

Since 1st October, 1969, broadcast receiving licence work has been performed by the Post Office as my agent. During the year ending 30th September, 1970, the number of licences in force increased by 600,000. Overall the Post Office runs an efficient system for collecting the revenue, and the current campaign against licence evasion which is being run by my Ministry in conjunction with the Post Office who are doing the field work and the BBC has—according to our preliminary estimates—yielded well over £½ million extra revenue so far.I am now studying, in consultation with the trade associations representing television rental companies and retailers, the possibility of using my powers to require television dealers to give particulars of television sets supplied before 29th January, 1968. (At present they are required to do so for sets supplied subsequently.) Also a pilot scheme for a computer-controlled method of issuing licences is likely to be introduced. Other ideas for improving the system are being reviewed.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, in view of the statement by the Director-General of the British Broadcasting Corporation that the Corporation may be £50 million in debt by 1974, if he will now consider raising the licence fee.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply earlier today to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton).

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will, in conjunction with the Welsh Economic Council, prepare a further five-year economic plan for Wales.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many new schemes of land reclamation have been undertaken by the Derelict Land Unit since 11th November, 1970; and what is the average percentage grant payment made by the Welsh Office in each case.

No new reclamation schemes have reached the stage of formal approval for grant in the period since 11th November, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if the clearance of derelict lands is included in the key sectors where Government Departments will have special responsibilities.

Schemes for the clearance of derelict land are not included in the key sector. They will be treated as locally determined schemes for which local authorities will decide their own priorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to make provision to increase the number of staff and to provide for short-stay beds in the accident and emergency department in the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, Monmouthshire.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is aware that between 1966 and 1970 the total attendances at the Accident and Emergency Department of the Royal Gwent Hospital have increased from 30,000 new cases to 72,000 cases, and that the lack of short-stay beds in the Department is imposing strains upon the staff and the patients; and whether he will direct the Welsh Hospital Board to provide the annual revenue cost to provide a temporary building containing such beds.

I am aware that attendances at this department have increased though by no means to the extent suggested. The Welsh Hospital Board and the Hospital Management Committee are considering the staffing and other requirements of the department.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what further discussions he has with Newport Borough Council on the provision of finance for the construction of a dock access road.

No further discussions have taken place with representatives of the Borough Council and the Docks Board since the meeting on 5th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what recent consultations he has had with the urban district councils and non-county boroughs in Wales on the Government's decision to introduce block allocation of money to local authorities for capital expenditure.

The new arrangements which will come into effect from 1st April, 1971 have been discussed in detail with the associations representing the major authorities and the county district councils. My Department was associated with these discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will state the names of the hospitals in Wales that he has visited officially since 20th June, 1970.

The Minister of State, to whom I have given responsibilities for the Health Service in Wales has visited 11 Welsh Hospitals since 20th June. With permission I will list the names in the OFFICIAL REPORT.The following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what surveys his Department have carried out into the ability of council house tenants in Wales to pay higher rents; and what are the findings.

None, but the Government propose to introduce a comprehensive system of rent rebates and allowances for those in need.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what part of the £110 million described in Command Paper Number 4515 as additional expenditure on the health and welfare services is to be allocated to Wales.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Pembroke (Mr. Nicholas Edwards) on 12th November, 1970.—[Vol. 806, c. 253.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for the expansion of the work of the Mid-Wales New Town Development Corporation so as to develop other towns as well as Newtown.

None at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will institute a cost/benefit inquiry into transport facilities in rural Wales.

I am in close consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport Industries about public passenger transport services in rural Wales. The Welsh Council have also indicated that they intend studying this problem.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is satisfied that Llandough Hospital will not be adversely affected by recruitment of staff for the New University Hospital of Wales; and whether he will make a statement.

Recruitment of staff for both Llandough Hospital and the University Hospital of Wales is a matter for the University Hospital of Wales (Cardiff) Hospital Management Committee and the Welsh Hospital Board. I have no doubt that in recruiting for the University Hospital they will bear in mind the staffing position at Llandough.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations have been made to him by teaching bodies and education authorities in Wales with regard to his proposals for transfer of responsibilities in the educational field to the Welsh Office; and what replies he has sent.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Science last month invited all the main local authority and teachers' associations to comment on a draft circular dealing with this transfer, and all these bodies had meetings with officials on 20th October. Subsequently my right hon. Friend saw a deputation from the Welsh Committee of the National Union of Teachers, and soon I shall myself be seeing members of the Welsh Joint Education Committee and Chairmen of Education Committees and their Directors of Education.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many abortion operations were performed during the past 12 months in each of the groups of hospitals administered by hospital management committees in Wales.

The latest available information is for the 12 months ended 30th June, 1970 and is as follows:

Hospital Management Committee	Number of Abortions
Newport and East Monmouthshire	440
North Monmouthshire	107
*Brecon and Radnor	18
†Cardiff and District	436
Merthyr and Aberdare	62
Pontypridd and Rhondda	256
Bro Morgannwg	128
Glantawe	658
South West Wales	23
Mid Wales	71
Caernarvon and Anglesey	95
Clwyd and Deeside	39
Wrexham Powys and Mawddach	81
*Welsh Border	—
Miners' Rehabilitation Centre, Talygarn	—
†United Cardiff Hospitals	243
TOTAL	2,657
*As from 1st October, 1970 these Committees were amalgamated to form the Border Counties (Wales) HMC.
†As from 1st October, 1970 these authorities were amalgamated to form the University Hospital of Wales (Cardiff) HMC.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the effect of the abolition of housing subsidies upon council house rents in Flint Borough Council, East Flintshire.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 9th November.—[Vol. 806, c. 27.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now announce his plans for the teaching of Welsh in the schools of Wales.

I have already informed the hon. Member that I am examining this matter. This will take some time but I hope to be in a position to make a statement in the Spring.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many hospital beds are maintained in each of the groups of hospitals administered by hospital management committees in Wales.

The staffed beds on 30th June, 1970 were:

Hospital Group	Number of Staffed Beds
Newport and East Monmouthshire	2,911
North Monmouthshire	1,607
Border Counties (Wales)	1,274
University Hospital of Wales (Cardiff)	4,429
Merthyr and Aberdare	841
Pontypridd and Rhondda	1,090
Bro Morgannwy	4,006
Glantawe	2,679
South West Wales	2,004
Mid Wales	481
Caernarvon and Anglesey	1,263
Clwyd and Deeside	2,251
Wrexham, Powys and Mawddach	1,449
Miners Rehabilitation	106
TOTAL	26,391

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many patients are on the waiting list of each of the hospitals covered by the Pontypridd and Rhondda Hospital Management Committee; and how many have been on the list for three months, between three and six months, six months and 12 months and over 12 months, respectively.

The numbers of patients on the in-patient waiting lists on the 31st October, 1970, were as follows:

East Glamorgan	2,123
Treherbert	51
Pentwyn	—
Tyntyla	—
Llwynypia	487
Glyncornal	3
Dewi Sant
Porth	597
Pontypridd and District	82
Tonteg	7

I regret that the other information requested is not readily available. I understand however that urgent cases are given priority and are seen without delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of primary school buildings required in Glamorgan; and how this compares with other counties in Wales.

It is the responsibility of the individual local education authority to decide how many school buildings are required in its area having regard to the trends in school population. There are presently 440 primary schools in Glamorgan out of a total of 1,998 such schools in the whole of Wales. The number of primary schools must reflect the needs of each area and therefore no meaningful inter-area comparison can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will reconsider his decision not to approve a lighting scheme on the A55 from Wynt Hill Hawarden to the Ewloe roundabout, in view of the recent fatal accident in Hawarden; and if he will make a statement.

As I have already informed the hon. Member, I have included this scheme in my lighting programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what additional financial resources will be made available to the Health Service in Wales in 1971–72; what percentage increase this figure constitutes over 1970–71; how the percentage increase compares with percentage increases in 1965 to 1970; and how the additional sum will be allocated between the various sectors of the Health Service.

It is expected that the additional sum available in 1971–72 to the health services in Wales compared with the 1970–71 provision will be about £4·2 million in constant price terms, which represents a 4·1 per cent. increase. Decisions have not yet been taken on the allocation between services of the additional sum. Actual gross expenditure and percentage increases for previous years are as follows:—

Year	Expenditure £m.	Percentage Increase
1964–65	59·9	—
1965–66	67·5	12·7
1966–67	71·8	6·4
1967–68	79·1	10·2
1968–69	86·3	9·1
1969–70	94·9	10·0

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what request he has received from the British Steel Corporation concerning its requirement of land on the Dee Estuary for use in dumping slag and waste from Shotton Steel Works; and what reply he has sent.

The British Steel Corporation have been consulted about their land requirements in the Dee Estuary, and their views will be taken into account in connection with the Dee Crossing Studies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new assistance he proposes to give to the paper industry, in view of its current difficulties.

The paper and board industry, in common with industry in general, will benefit from the measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 27th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what applications for industrial development certificates for Dorset have been received this year.

During the period 1st January, 1970, to 30th September, 1970, 29 industrial development certificates were issued and two refused in Dorset.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what amount of investment grants to ship-owners have been authorised but not yet paid.

None. Applications for investment grant are considered and grant paid after the relevant expenditure has been incurred. There is no prior authorisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the anticipated effect on the shipping industry of Her Majesty's Government's decision to abolish investment grants.

I have nothing to add to paragraphs 17–19 of the White Paper on Investment Incentives (Cmnd. 4516).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what study his Department is making of the experience since 1968 of small firms in the European Economic Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what study his Department is making of the experience in the last two years of small firms in the European Economic Community.

It would not be practicable for any one country, whether inside or outside the Community, to undertake such a study, but the Department is watching closely the development of the Community's industrial and other policies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the effect on the industrial development of the Northern Region consequent upon British entry into the Common Market.

Industry in the Northern Region would share fully in the general opportunities created by membership of a larger European Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether investment grants have been made available to those companies which have discovered oil off the north-east coast of Scotland; and what representations he has received on the matter.

On expenditure incurred before 27th October 1970 such companies would be eligible for investment grant within the terms of the Industrial Development Act 1966. It is not the practice to disclose whether grant has been made to particular companies or what representations have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement regarding the placing of Government contracts with research establishments in the North East.

As my hon. Friend said on Monday 9th November in reply to a Question from the right hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey), we are making every effort to steer research and development projects to research establishments in the North East and other Development Areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will issue regulations under the Trade Descriptions Act requiring cigarette packets to carry information of the tar content or other harmful ingredients of cigarettes.

I will certainly consider, with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services, whether it would be appropriate and helpful to proceed in this way.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research he has carried out into the incentive value of tax allowances instead of cash grants for investment in new plant and machinery.

We have taken into account the research set in hand by the previous Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to prevent further mill closures in the textile industry; and if he will make a statement.

The industry recognises the inevitability of further closures. The extent and timing of these will depend largely on the industry's own efforts to improve its productivity and efficiency.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will issue a general direction to the National Coal Board to cease the tipping of colliery waste on the coastline.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to ensure the safety of men working on the oil rigs in the North Sea during the coming winter; and if he will make a statement on the general level of safety precautions which have evolved from operational experiences in recent years.

Each licensee is required at all times to conform to prescribed safety standards, including observance of a Code of Safe Practice and my technical staff carry out regular inspections. These arrangements are regularly reviewed and reflect all current operational experience.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions have taken place concerning the danger of collision in the English Channel and the need for a new rule of the road for ships using that seaway; and what is the policy of his Department.

By international agreement traffic separation schemes have been introduced in the Dover Strait, off the Lizard and the Scilly Isles. In the light of recent events we shall be discussing shortly with the interests concerned whether we should recommend to other Governments further traffic separation schemes in the English Channel. Discussions are also taking place in the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation in preparation for a Conference to revise the general collision regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the liquidator of Messrs. Pinnock Finance Company Limited has now communicated with all creditors; and whether he is now in a position to proceed to a distribution.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the liquidator of Messrs. Pinnock Finance Company Limited has completed his examination of this company's affairs; and when constituents of the hon. Member for Swansea, East affected by this liquidation can expect to share in a distribution.

The liquidator hopes very shortly to apply to the court for leave to make an interim distribution to the creditors. He hopes in about two weeks' time to write to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the creditors of Messrs. Pinnock Finance Company Limited to receive further information; when a distribution of remaining resources can be expected; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Members for Petersfield (Miss Quennell) and Swansea, East (Mr. McBride) today.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date he received a communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, enclosing documents by an individual whose name has been sent to him concerning matters connected with the Pinnock Finance Company Limited; and whether he will arrange to meet a deputation of Members of Parliament with constituency interest in this question and the individual concerned to discuss this matter.

The hon. Member's letter was received on 13th November. I am willing to receive a deputation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will outline the Government's proposals for the siting of publicly-owned industries in the Northern Region.

The nationalised industries are aware of the Government's regional policy measures and take these into account in making their investment decisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in the light of the deaths which occurred off the east coast of Scotland on 9th November, and the inability of the Royal Air Force to provide helicopter assistance, he will take steps to improve air-sea rescue services, in particular by providing increased resources for better co-ordination of these services, and a direction as to who is responsible when an emergency occurs.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my replies to the hon. Member for Blythe (Mr. Milne) on 30th October and the hon. Member for Glasgow, Govan (Mr. Rankin) on 9th November. We are having discussions with the interested organisations about air-sea rescue services. I hope to be able to make a statement on the use of helicopters as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the average annual earnings in exports of the wool textile industry.

Over the last five years, exports have averaged £148 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will schedule Wigan and district as a development area.

No. The problems of Wigan are not sufficiently serious to justify designation as an assisted area.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about price-fixing in the electrical contracting industry especially as it concerns public building; and what action he proposes to take.

I have received a small number of letters on the subject. As I told the hon. and learned Member for Warrington (Mr. W. T. Williams) on 9th November, these practices are already covered by existing legislation.—[Vol. 806, c. 2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the present availability of coal stocks; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the current prospects with regard to the supply of fuel for domestic and industrial purposes during the winter.

I refer the hon. Members to my right hon. Friend's speech during the coal debate on 29th October. I am giving the matter my urgent further consideration in view of the unofficial strikes which have taken place since then.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for promoting price competition in the private sector.

The Government have already announced that they are reviewing the instruments of competition policy: I have nothing to add at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for promoting new tinplate and galvanising capacity in Lanarkshire: and if he will make a statement.

This is a matter for the steel industry and I am asking the Chairman of the British Steel Corporation to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is satisfied that Recommendation 7 of the Holland-Martin Report on trawler safety is being fully observed; how he proposes to implement it in the future; and if he will make a statement.

The Department has already agreed in principle with the trawler industry how the Holland-Martin recommendations about radio communications, including Recommendation 7, should be implemented, and a working group with a wide representation of interests has been set up to produce detailed regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries he has now received from industrialists to erect factories at the Morriston/Landore site in Swansea; and if he will make a statement.

None. We have so far suggested the site to 19 industrialists, and six have inspected it.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the total number of persons employed at the latest available date in advance factories which have been erected in North Wales, Mid-Wales and South Wales, respectively.

In October, advance factories authorised under the Local Employment Acts were providing 1,200 jobs in North Wales and 2,710 jobs in South Wales. Advance factories in Mid-Wales were not provided under the Local Employment Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce a further allocation of advance factories to Wales; and if he will include the Carmarthen constituency in any allocation.

I will consider further advance factories in Wales when more of those now available or still to be built are disposed of. The needs of the Carmarthen constituency will be borne in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries have been received during the past year from industrialists who have expressed interest in the intermediate area of South-East Wales, including Newport, Cardiff and Barry.

65 enquiries were received for industrial locations in Wales during the period 1st November 1969 to 31st October 1970 and locations in the Intermediate Area were suggested to 23 firms.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many persons have been apprehended as a result of security measures introduced at British airports since 30th July, 1970; how many weapons have been detected; and what action has been taken against the culprits.

A wide range of articles which could be regarded as potential weapons have been detected and retained at the airports or carried on the aircraft in places inaccessible to passengers. Figures available for major international airports show that four persons have been arrested and charged with being in possession of offensive weapons.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give an assurance that the Report of the Roskill Commission on the siting of the third London airport will be made public at the same time that it is presented to the Government.

We intend that the Report should be made public as soon as possible after it is received, but time must be allowed for printing and publishing.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce legislation, either in the forthcoming Coal Industry Bill or during the course of this Parliament, to improve the basis of compensation for the victims of mining subsidence, particularly in respect of consequential loss.

Improved compensation would have repercussions in other fields where development gives rise to cones- quential losses and there is, therefore, no prospect of early legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he is putting forward for the release of Mr. Hess for Christmas.

We have no plans to put forward any such proposals at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the negotiation for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add at the moment to my statement of 29th October.—[Vol. 805, c. 439–41.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government now proposes to take to secure the retention of Commonwealth preferences for United Kingdom exports on the basis that the United Kingdom becomes a member of the European Economic Community.

Preferences accorded to United Kingdom exports in Commonwealth markets are matters for the Commonwealth Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the negotiations for entry of the United Kingdom into the European Economic Community, he will seek to ensure an adequate transitional period before the United Kingdom has to put into effect the provisions of the Treaty of Rome relating to free movement of labour.

Contacts with the Communities on this subject are not yet complete. I take note of the hon. Member's point.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the negotiations for entry of the United Kingdom into the European Economic Community, he will seek to ensure an adequate transitional period before the United Kingdom has to put into effect the provisions of the Treaty of Rome relating to free movement of capital.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give full details of the agreement with the Council of Ministers of the European Economic Community relating to pigs and pigmeat, with particular reference to bacon production.

I have nothing to add to my statement of 29th October.—[Vol. 805; c. 439–41.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the Government's definition of the phrase political unity in the context of Great Britain's application to join the European Economic Community.

With the proviso that it is wholly unrealistic to separate the political and economic interests of Europe, European political unity might be defined, in this context, as the degree of common action necessary to permit Europe to emerge as a Community expressing its own point of view and exercising influence in world affairs, not only in the commercial and economic, but also in the political and defence fields.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, having regard to the anxiety expressed by Her Majesty's Government over the high rates of increase in the budgets of the United Nations budget and the Organisation's specialised agencies, he will state what reductions are to be made in future United Kingdom contributions to those budgets and to that of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Once the regular budgets are approved there is an obligation on Member States to contribute the share apportioned to them. This the United Kingdom have always done.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British subjects are known to be in Chinese custody either in prison or under house arrest; and how many of these have not been brought to trial.

One. Mr. David Johnston, former manager of the Shanghai branch of the Chartered Bank, was arrested in Shanghai on 25th August, 1968. In addition four British subjects are believed to be detained in China. The names of all five are given below.As far as we know none has been brought to trial.BRITISH SUBJECTS DETAINED OR BELIEVED TO BE DETAINED BY THE CHINESE(23rd November, 1970)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about relations between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Republic of Ireland.

Relations between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Irish Republic continue to be close and friendly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards a major naval base in the Indian Ocean; and what other countries are associated with Great Britain in this project.

Under an exchange of notes of December, 1966, published in April, 1967 (Cmnd. 3231) a number of islands in the Indian Ocean were made available for a period of 50 years for the defence purposes of both the United States and the British Governments. As was stated by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 16th November, these islands have always been envisaged as providing potential sites for transit, communications and support facilities. We have no programme for creating a major naval base in the Indian Ocean.—[Vol. 806, c. 988.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken by Her Majesty's Government at the United Nations towards securing the creation of an international agreement on ways to deal with hijacking and other acts of violence against civil aircraft.

On 19th November, the 6th Committee of the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a strong resolution calling upon all States to take appropriate measures to put an end to hijacking and to work towards the adoption of an international Convention on hijacking which is to be considered at a Conference in The Hague next month. I am glad to say Her Majesty's Government were able to play a leading role in securing this very welcome result. The resolution is likely to be taken at a plenary session of the Assembly either tomorrow or the day after.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further action he is taking to bring about a peaceful settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister of State gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Heffer) on 2nd November.—[Vol. 805, c. 265–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement relating to the detention of Mr. Didymus Mutasa by the illegal Rhodesian régime, and as to the number of people who are being detained without trial in Rhodesia by that régime.

Her Majesty's Government deplore any action which further undermines racial co-operation in Southern Rhodesia. I am not however in a position to know the circumstances of the reported detention of Mr. Didymus Mutasa, I cannot therefore comment on his case.According to Rhodesian figures, there are 143 people in detention in Southern Rhodesia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will recommend to the United Nations Organisation the establishment of a United Nations Emergency Relief Organisation to deal with immediate aid for areas affected by national disasters, such as that experienced recently in East Pakistan.

The United Kingdom co-sponsored a resolution adopted at the July meeting of the Economic and Social Council calling on the United National Secretary-General to study the whole question of international co-ordination of disaster relief. We intend to contribute to the preparation of this study. Meanwhile as my right hon. Friend assured the House on 19th November, we are considering all aspects of the question of international planning of relief for disasters of this kind.—[Vol. 806, c. 1446.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek an early opportunity of visiting Australia.

I regret that I cannot visit Australia in the immediate future, though I was, of course, there at the beginning of the year. I very much hope to pay another visit before too long.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has studied the decision in the case of Adams v. Adams as a result of which some English women divorced in Rhodesia are unable to remarry; and if in consequence of it he will propose an alteration in the law.

Yes. Hon. Members will by now have seen the Order-in-Council which has been approved by both Houses and which came into operation on 16th November. This enables individuals whose Rhodesian divorces cannot be recognised by United Kingdom courts to petition for divorce in this country without having to meet the normal qualifications of domicile or residence.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the extradition arrangements existing between Dubai and Iran.

I know of no extradition arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the deportation of six men to Iran last week took place with the consent and knowledge of the British Political Resident in Dubai; and at whose request the deportation took place.

The British Political Agent in Dubai was not consulted. The six men, who are Iranian subjects, were being returned by the Dubai authorities to Iran at the request of the Iranian Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding all the circumstances in which six men being forcibly returned to Iran were put in a plane at Dubai last week and the circumstances in which the plane was hijacked.

The decision to return these six men from Dubai to Iran was taken by the Dubai authorities. Since the persons concerned were Iranian subjects, the matter was not within the jurisdiction of Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what new skills, techniques or technologies have been perfected in producing the Anglo-French Concorde aircraft; and what application he estimates that these will have in other industries.

Concorde has led to the development of techniques and skills in a number of areas, notably in the development of special materials, in the use of machine tools and miniaturised electronic equipment and in improving the reliability of aircraft equipment and systems generally. I have no doubt that many firms will put their Concorde experience to good use in other fields.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what consultation his Department had with the banks who made the £18 million available to Rolls-Royce Limited prior to his decision to provide financial support to the company; and what information he received regarding the terms and conditions of the loans concerned.

There was close consultation between the banks, and the Departments concerned. I am fully aware of the terms and conditions of the bank loans.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what study is being made, financed by his Department, of the technical problems involved in building staging-posts in the British Indian Ocean Territory.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made with his working party to inquire into the parking of lorries and the accommodation of drivers; and what outline plan he has devised so far in conjunction with the local authorities and commercial interests concerned to set up these lorry parks.

I expect to receive an interim report from the working party, which is studying this subject, early in the new year. Any outline plan must await consideration of the conclusions reached in the report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the distress caused by the noise of modern roads to rural communities, he will ensure that, wherever possible, new roads are sited so as to pass through cuttings in inhabited localities.

Each case must be considered on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has received on the long-term distribution of population; what studies he has initiated; and if he will make a statement.

The study of long-term population distribution trends and their implications, on which my right hon. Friend has received a report by a group of officials, is a continuing feature of the work of Government Departments. The results are taken into account in the framing of Departmental policies and they are especially relevant in the preparation of regional strategies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to introduce legislation to reduce the use of phosphates in detergent formulations.

The effects of the substances in synthetic detergents on water pollution are kept under review by the Standing Technical Committee on Synthetic Detergents which publishes annual reports. The Committee thoroughly examined the effects of phosphates, and have not recommended any reduction of their proportion in detergents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to publish a White Paper setting out the Government's attitude to the recommendations of the Working Party on sewage disposal; and whether he will make a statement.

I hope to publish our conclusions on the main recommendations of the working party within the next month or two, when consultations with the associations principally concerned are complete, but not as a White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for Wales, initiate a survey of public transport in Wales; and if he will give an undertaking that no railway closure in Wales shall be approved until such survey is completed.

In the studies I am making of public transport I shall not overlook the problems of Wales. I am in touch with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. But I regret I cannot give the undertaking the hon. Member seeks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many signs indicate Huddersfield travelling north on the M1 in comparison to the number of signs showing Barnsley, Wakefield, or Rotherham; and if he will take steps to increase this number.

Huddersfield and Rotherham appear on two signs approaching junctions and Barnsley and Wakefield on six. It would not be appropriate to sign Huddersfield at other junctions because junction 38 clearly is the best for Huddersfield traffic.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will bring to the attention of motor car manufacturers and the general public the benefits of fitting tungsten halogen headlamps in the interest of road safety;(2) what survey his Department has made into the benefits, in terms of road safety, of headlighting systems which incorporate the twin-filament tungsten halogen quartz iodine for car headlamps.

Work at the Road Research Laboratory confirms that tungsten halogen lamps are brighter. But brighter lamps cause more dazzle if they are not correctly aimed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what sum out of the total 1974–75 transport programme of £1,182 million, as stated in the White Paper, Command Paper No. 4515, New Policies for Public Spending, has been allocated to British Railways, directly or through the passenger transport authorities, as Exchequer aid for uneconomic rail passenger services.

Provisionally about £50 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he now proposes to make a statement concerning the proposals which he will introduce consequent upon the report, Mental Illness in City and Suburb, issued by the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, a copy of which is in his possession.

This report raises a wider problem than mental illness only, namely the special needs of certain problem areas, to which there is no simple or quick answer. I fully recognise that there are parts of the country where the community mental health services do not yet match the need, and particular problems, especially of staff recruitment, in some big cities where the needs are greatest. I have already announced the Government's plans to make extra funds available to speed improvements for vulnerable groups including services for the mentally ill.I see great value in closer working relations between hospital, family doctor and local authority services to ensure better diagnosis and a therapeutic team approach to promote continuity of care. I look forward to a continuing expansion of appropriate training for all types of worker, including the family doctor, and more effective use of social workers with the implementation of the Local Authority Social Services Act.Several applications have been received for grants under the Urban Aid programme for projects related to mental illness in socially deprived areas, including parts of the area studied in the report, and I am considering them. I shall continue to keep a close watch on the progress of these services.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for improving the waiting-time situation for patients on the ear, nose and throat and genito-urinary waiting lists at Watford General Hospital.

The Regional Hospital Board's plans for the Watford General Hospital include a new operating theatre which will make it possible to reduce the waiting list for ear, nose and throat patients. A revision of medical staffing arrangements recently agreed is expected to shorten the waiting time for genitourinary patients.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will amend Section 6 of the Ministry of Health circular addressed to secretaries of English regional hospital boards and boards of governors, dated 29th July, 1968, to allow hospitals to purchase cotton terry blankets on the same terms as cotton cellular blankets and wool blankets, at their own discretion.

Further advice will shortly be issued to hospital authorities, but the results of trials arranged by the Department do not justify any significant extension of the use of cotton terry blankets.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what replies he has received to his circular to hospitals on the use made of terry blankets; and if he will make a statement on their cost/life ratio and on their inflammability and thermal heat.

No comments on the circular have been received. The trials have shown that for general ward use cotton terry blankets are not the most economical and do not provide more warmth; nor are they less flammable.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue instructions to all local authorities to issue incontinent pads free of charge to all incontinent paraplegic patients either at their home or in other types of homes which are not private nursing homes.