asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many local authority houses have been built during the past 10 years within the Bridgeton constituency; and of these, how many were built in the Calton ward:(2) how many derelict tenemental properties are awaiting demolition within the Bridgeton constituency.

I do not have this information, relating to an individual constituency area in Glasgow, but the hon. Member can no doubt obtain it from Glasgow Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the figures relating to the rehabilitation of

					Other Housing Associations and Government Departments	Total Public Sector	Houses Completed
			Corporation	S.S.H.A			Private Owners	Total
1965	…	…	4,109	579	—	4,688	164	4,852
1966	…	…	3,604	1,359	—	4,963	57	5,020
1967	…	…	4,389	1,156	6	5,551	77	4,651
1968	…	…	4,051	440	83	4,574	77	4,651
1969	…	…	3,950	627	7	4,584	203	4,787
1970	…	…	2,587	258	24	2,869	182	3,051

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total cost to the Legal Aid Fund since its inception of meeting the legal expenses of uncontested divorces; and how many agents may be remunerated for an individual divorce suit.

The information available relates only to defended and undefended proceedings. The total cost met by the Legal Aid (Scotland) Fund during the five years from 1965–66 to 1969–70 was £2,162,000. This amount was partially offset by contributions received and expenses recovered. The number of agents who may be remunerated in respect of any one action will depend on the nature of the proceedings and the circumstances of parties.

Following is the information:

APPLICATION FOR IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPROVED
		Private Owners
	Local Authority	Discretionary Grant	Standard Grant	Total
1968	8	125	30	163
1969	18	93	27	138
1968	2,573	186	58	2,817

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new houses were provided by Glasgow Corporation in each of the years from 1965 to 1970; and how many houses were built for sale in each of those years.

Following is the information. The figure for 1970 is provisional:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many council houses have been sold by local authorities up to the most recent convenient date; and what is the total estimate of loans to be advanced by such local authorities to the purchasers.

Since last June I have given consent to the sale of 95 houses. This is almost as many as were sold by local authorities in the previous five years. I do not know to what extent, if any, the local authorities concerned will be making loans to the prospective purchasers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the membership of the Scottish Economic Planning Council.

The terms of office of members of the Scottish Economic Council expire on 28th February, 1971, when I shall, of course, review its membership.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make a statement on the domestic element of the rate support grant for Scotland;(2) if he will make a statement on the needs element of the rate support grant in Scotland.

My right hon. Friend will make known his intentions about the various elements of rate support grant in the Rate Support Grant (Scotland) Order when it is brought before the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider rescinding the rule of a three-mile limit before children over eight years of age are conveyed by transport to school; and if he will make a statement.

No. Education authorities already have discretion under the Statute to provide transport within the prescribed limits where they think that the circumstances warrant it and my right hon. Friend has had no representations from them that changes in the law are desirable.

asked Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of children in Scotland make use of the school dental service and what steps he is taking to encourage greater participation in the facilities available.

In the year ended 31st July, 1969, school dental officers examined 408,000 children, or 44 per cent. of the total school population in Scotland. 267,000 children were offered treatment and of these 138,600, or 52 per cent., accepted. In addition some 385,000 children aged 5 to 15 were treated by general dental practitioners.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when and in what form, he proposes to publish his review of Edinburgh's exclusion from development area status.

The results of our examination of Edinburgh's exclusion from the development area will be covered when we announce our decisions following our longer-term review of regional policies.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals have been put to him regarding the administration of Scottish fisheries; and if he will make a statement.

None, apart from views put forward in confidence by the White Fish Authority and Herring Industry Board about their own future to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State. On that subject, I have nothing to add to the statement of 17th December.—[Vol. 808, c. 448–50.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made towards finding a more equitable means of financing local government than the present rating system.

Possible new forms of revenue for local authorities are being studied, but rates are likely to remain a principal source of local government finance.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the criteria used in making new appointments to public bodies such as the Scottish Special Housing Association, the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, and the Highlands and Islands Development Board.

I have regard to any statutory requirements and to suitability for the particular appointment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what decrease in the orders for new fishing boats he expects clue to the reduction in the rate of grant.

It is too early to say what change there may be in the flow of orders.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to be able to make known Her Majesty's Government's views on the Cameron Report on the Fishing Industry.

As soon as possible, after my right hon. Friend has been able to consider in detail the observations which the main interested organisations submit in response to his invitation. He has asked them to let him have their views by mid-March.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schools were built in Glasgow before 1903; when he expects they will be replaced; and if he will make a statement.

I have no record of schools in use by date of construction. In connection with the primary school improvement programme starting in 1972–73, however, all education authorities have been asked for information about the primary schools which in their view should be considered for improvement or replacement in the course of the 1970s.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now allocate an additional £10 million for public works as a contribution to the easing of Scotland's current unemployment problem.

We have brought forward into the current winter about £1¾ million of essential public works which in the normal course would not have been done until later. To improve the longer-term employment situation we have announced changes in the methods of assisting industrial expansion.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement regarding his Department's actions in relation to the co-ordination of local authority efforts to attract industry to Scotland.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply today to questions by the hon. Member for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire (Mr. Douglas) and my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Sproat).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial provision has been made for winter relief for the county of Lanark for 1970–71; and what sums were respectively allocated for 1968–69 and 1969–70.

I have brought forward to this winter essential works in Lanarkshire estimated to cost £190,400. 1968–69 and 1969–70 programmes of special winter works in the county cost £442,154 and £540,770 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to encourage public works managements to reduce the emission of pollutants; and if he will make a statement.

Most processes involving emissions to the air must be registered under the Alkali Acts, and I keep under continuous review the best practicable means of controlling such emissions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he now proposes to take in 1971–72 to reduce the pollution of streams and rivers.

It is the duty of river purification authorities to promote the cleanliness of the river in their areas, but these authorities must depend largely on action by local authorities, industries and others to improve the quality of the effluents they discharge into the rivers. I am authorising more investment in 1971–72 by local authorities in sewerage and sewage treatment works.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schools were built in Lanarkshire before 1903; when he expects they will be replaced; and if he will make a statement.

I have no record of schools still in use by date of construction. In connection with the primary school improvement programme starting in 1972–73, all education authorities have, however, been asked for information about the primary schools which, in their view, should be considered for improvement or replacement in the course of the 1970s.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what organisations, other than the local authorities, he intends to consult before formulating a uniform rent rebate scheme.

I do not think that further general consultations will be needed in this particular matter, since I have before me the recent report by a sub-committee of the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee (the Brownlie Committee), which took evidence from a variety of organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will issue a Consultative Document outlining the principles underlying the Government's proposals for reducing housing subsidies in Scotland before entering into discussions with the local authority associations.

The principles of the Government's policies, which are not to reduce housing subsidies but to redirect them, were clearly set out in statements to the House. Discussions with the local authority associations started last week.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of his consultation concerning the proposed alterations in housing subsidies.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to the hon. Member for Midlothian (Mr. Eadie).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average percentage of their budget spent by local education authorities on books, equipment and stationery.

4·3 per cent. in 1969–70. If the comparison is restricted to schools expenditure, the average is 4·8 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new houses were completed in 1970; and what was the total number started in each of the last two quarters of the year.

Although all the returns for December have not yet been' received, it appears that about 44,000 houses were completed in 1970. Starts in the last two quarters were, respectively, 9,846 and about 7,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has complaining that the new policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the issue of industrial development certificates will be to the detriment of development areas; and what reply he has sent.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to increase the pay of the police.

Negotiations on the current pay claim are still proceeding in the Police Council for the United Kingdom and I have as yet received no recommendation from it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he has taken since June, 1970, to have discussions with the Scottish Trades Union Congress on the Government's Industrial Relations Bill; how many such discussions have ensued and with what results; and what the general views and opinions of the Scottish Trades Union Congress are in connection with this subject, which have been conveyed to him either orally or in writing.

I have met the S.T.U.C. twice since June, 1970, but I have had no discussions with it on this Bill, but it asked to be consulted beforehand about it, with the result that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment arranged a meeting. Neither my right hon. Friend nor I have received any written or oral representations from it on the terms of the Industrial Relations Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the loss of jobs in Glenrothes and in other parts of Scotland has accelerated in the last six months; and what steps he has taken to arrest this trend.

I am aware that when we took office we found the economy in a state of stagnation as the result of which an increase in redundancies was inevitable. Our general economic policy and new investment incentives aim to remedy this.I am to open a new computer plant in Glenrothes in two weeks' time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the disaster resulting in the loss of 67 lives which occurred at the football game at Ibrox Park, Govan, between Rangers and Celtic on 2nd January last; and if he will set up an open judicial inquiry into the causes of the disaster and the methods whereby, for the future, the entry of spectators to football games, their presence at them and departure from may be adequately safeguarded.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made today.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the work carried on by the Scottish Epilepsy Association from its headquarters in Govan in promoting the welfare of persons suffering from epilepsy throughout Scotland; and to what extent the Association has qualified for Government financial aid because of its contribution to the health services of Scotland.

Yes. I hope to reach an early decision on a recent application for grant made by the association.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will refer to the Central Capability Unit the financial and efficiency consequences of the Secretary of State for Social Services' decision to reduce the number of supplementary benefit appeal tribunals.

No.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what increase there has been in the number of civil servants since 19th June, 1970, to the latest available date.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow) on 17th December.—[Vol. 808, c. 451–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the improvement of the infrastructure in East Anglia; and if he will make a statement.

A number of Government programmes will improve the infrastructure of East Anglia. For example, about £24 million of major road improvement schemes are under construction or programmed in the region, and a further 30 major schemes are being prepared.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many persons employed by the Land Commission will be made redundant; and what will be the annual saving in salaries.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 16th December, 1970, to a similar Question.—[Vol. 808, c. 359.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further plans he now has for the improvement of the infrastructure in the Northern Region; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Durham, North-West (Mr. Armstrong) on 25th November.—[Vol. 807, c. 119.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his attention has been drawn by the Redbridge Borough Council to its decision to grant planning permission for a school for maladjusted children in the grounds of the William Torbitt School, Ilford; and if he will call in the application and order a public inquiry so that the objections of the William Torbitt Parents and Residents Association, of which he has had a statement from the hon. Member for Ilford, North, can be ventilated and considered.

The proposal which raised issues of an essentially local nature was referred to the Department last November by the Redbridge Borough Council. Since the site was already allocated for education purposes in the existing development plan the council were informed that my right hon. Friend would not wish to intervene. My right hon. Friend has since considered the statement of objections by the William Torbitt Parents and Residents Association which the hon. Member forwarded but he is still of the view that a local matter of this kind should be left to the local authority to decide.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to announce his conclusion on the recommendations of the Water Resources Board Desk Study, The Wash: Estuary Storage, in view of the forecast shortage of water in the East Midlands and East Anglia.

I have not yet completed the consideration of the Board's report and consultations which must precede an announcement. I appreciate the need for an early decision and I expect to be able to announce conclusions shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the appointment of the new chairman of the West Midlands Economic Planning Council.

I have the question of the chairmanship of the West Midlands Planning Council under active consideration but I am not yet able to make any announcement about it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what correspondence he has received from the Erewash Valley Golf Club, of Stanton-by-Dale, Ilkeston, in connection with the effects of a planned new road on its course; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

An inquiry was received about the effect on the golf course of a possible route for the proposed Birmingham-Nottingham motorway. The Club was informed that routes were still under consideration and that draft proposals would be published in about a year's time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, following the report of the Noise Advisory Council, he will take further steps to abate industrial noise.

The Council has set up a working group under the Chairmanship of Sir Hilary Scott to prepare proposals for strengthening the law on the abatement of nuisance from industrial and other noise.

Period				Type of local authority				Amount paid in development areas	Amount paid in intermediate and derelict land clearance areas	Total grant paid in period
								£	£	£
19th August, 1966 to 31st December, 1966				County councils		…	…	—	—	—
				County borough councils			…	—	—	—
				District councils		…	…	30,336	—	30,336
				Total	…	…	…	30,336		30,336
1967	…	…	…	County councils		…	…	8,741	—	8,741
				County borough councils			…	19,691	—	19,691
				District councils		…	…	92,601	—	92,601
				Total	…	…	…	121,033		121,033
1968	…	…	…	County councils		…	…	31,255	—	31,255
				County borough councils			…	59,377	—	59,377
				District councils		…	…	260,960	—	260,960
				Total	…	…	…	351,592		351,592
1969	…	…	…	County councils		…	…	38,815	—	38,815
				County borough councils			…	78,585	—	78,585
				District councils		…	…	320,014	—	320,014
				Total	…	…	…	437,414		437,414
1970	…	…	…	County councils		…	…	180,026	116,941	296,967
				County borough councils			…	82,946	114,888	197,834
				District councils		…	…	253,845	12,392	266,237
				Total	…	…	…	516,817	244,221	761,038

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now take steps to improve the street lighting on the A525 through Madeley, Staffordshire.

Approval in principle has been given for the highway

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount of grant paid each year to date to local authorities, shown by counties, county boroughs and county districts, respectively, under Section 20 of the Industrial Development Act, 1966, and the percentage which this represents of the total cost.

The figures for England are shown in the following table. The grant payments represent 85 per cent. of the net eligible costs in the development areas and 75 per cent. in the intermediate and derelict land clearance areas.authority, Staffordshire County Council, to proceed with a lighting scheme including this length of the A525 through Madeley Village. It is hoped that work will commence shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many planning appeals have now been decided by inspectors alone, and with what result.

In the two years ending 31st December, 1970, 3,094 planning appeals had been decided by Inspectors; 734 were allowed and 2,360 dismissed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tree preservation orders were issued in 1970 compared with 1969, 1968 and 1964.

Details of the number of tree preservation orders made in 1970 have already been sought from local planning authorities. I will write to the hon. Member when this information is available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what investigations have been made by his Department into the Dragon kerb road safety barrier, details of which have been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

I am not satisfied that these kerbs would constitute an improvement on the approved types of safety fences on motorways nor that their suitability has been established for use elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular to local authorities in regard to the placing of road signs during major road work developments in their area and the need for the maximum safety factors to be taken into consideration in regard to them.

Advice has already being issued to local authorities in a circular dated 28th August, 1968, which amplified and amended the 1962 Traffic Safety Codes for Road Works.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment under what Act or statutory regulation vehicle owners are legally permitted to exhibit their road fund licence in the centre of their front windscreen; and on what date the regulation making it illegal for this to be exhibited other than on the left-hand corner of the windscreen was amended or abolished.

The answer to the first part is none; to the second, there has been no change.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now seek to amend the Option Mortgage Scheme to provide that a person may exercise his option after five years or at age 65 years, irrespective of the number of years up to a maximum of 20 for which his mortgage has existed.

There is already provision for a person who experiences a substantial but not reasonably foreseeable alteration in his financial circumstances to switch from an ordinary mortgage to an option mortgage, at the discretion of his lender. I am not yet in a position to make a statement about changes in the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce a special family allowance for disabled and handicapped children.

A special family allowance would probably not be the best way to use any resources which became available, but very severely disabled children will benefit from the introduction of the attendance allowance.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many extra nursery nurses were recruited for training as a result of the urban aid programme.

This information is not available, but in England and Wales there are 165 places on the shortened courses which have so far been established for mature students largely to meet the needs of the urban programme, and other training is also being expanded.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement about the future of nurse training at Rugby hospitals.

The General Nursing Council has recommended that in the interests of improving nurse training and widening the students' experience hospitals in Rugby, Coventry and Nuneaton should form one school of nursing; Rugby students would receive part of their training in Coventry or Nuneaton hospitals and students from those hospitals would spend part of their time at Rugby.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now make a statement on his examination of the working of the Abortion Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now make a statement of Government policy in relation to the Abortion Act.

I am not yet ready to make a statement, but I expect to do so shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now publish the report of the inquiry held in Bristol into the case of Michael Johnson, a mental patient.

The report is still under consideration and a further statement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) why, as from next April, the levy on elastic hosiery obtained on a prescription will be increased to £1 a pair whilst anklets and knee-caps will cost 10s. a pair;(2) if, in view of the hardship which will be caused, particularly to those suffering from varicose veins, he will review the proposed discrepancy in cost to the public between drugs and dressings.

The higher charge for elastic stockings, which will be no more than the charge which applied between 1952 and 1965, takes into account the higher cost of these articles to the National Health Service. The wide exemptions from prescription charges will continue to apply to charges for elastic hosiery; exemption or refund is available for anyone who is not otherwise exempt and who would suffer hardship through payment of the charges. The charge for dressings will continue to be the same as for drugs.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he proposes to start the payment of the new attendance allowance for severely disabled people.

I am glad to be able to tell my hon. Friend that payment of attendance allowance will start from 6th December, 1971. This represents an improvement of four months on the target date of April, 1972, of which I told the House on Second Reading last July, and much creit is due in this connection to the Attendance Allowance Board. Leaflets and other forms of publicity later in the year will tell those concerned how to claim the allowance.—[Vol. 803, c. 1014.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of delays in dealing with immigration applications and related problems, he will, as a matter of urgency, announce plans to increase the personnel establishment of the Home Office and British High Commission departments concerned.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the difficulties, but the work load is extremely heavy. He has already taken steps, including substantial staff reinforcement, with a view to reducing delay in the Home Office. The staffing of offices abroad is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, but I am assured that the position is kept under review and reinforcement provided where necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to make a review of existing conditions of League football grounds in the United Kingdom.

Football clubs have been asked to review their safety arrangements as a matter of urgency. In consultation with my colleagues I am considering whether further measures are required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet reached a conclusion as to how far the law should be changed to enable organisations which are not run for private gain to benefit from income from lotteries and similar sources.

I hope to make a statement soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give, for the longest and most convenient stated period of time, the number of foreign nationals who have applied for permission to either enter and/or remain in Great Britain and to take up British citizenship; what were the reasons given for those granted permission, and how many were refused; and if he will give similar details for British Commonwealth citizens.

I would refer the hon. Member to the annual White Papers on immigration and citizenship statistics which give particulars of the admission of foreign nationals and of Commonwealth citizens to the United Kingdom and of naturalisation or registration for citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take following the decision of a leading drug company to stop using amphetamines in pep pills.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and I shall be giving early consideration to the question of controlling the misuse of amphetamines in the light of the new powers that will be available when the Misuse of Drugs Bill becomes law, and of the continued need for the drugs in medical practice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often he has met representatives of the employers' and union sides of the National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire Brigades, respectively, since July, 1970; and what advice was given to either party on fire service pay during December, 1970.

Representatives of the Employers' Side on five occasions and of the Fire Brigades Union on three occasions. I drew the attention of the Employers' Side in December, 1970, to the implications for the current fire service pay negotiations of the Government's policy for securing a reduction in the present level of cost inflation. Similar advice has been given to other public sector employers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Her Majesty's Government intends to ratify the European agreement on aupair placement, made by the Council of Europe in December, 1969.

I regret that my right hon. Friend is not yet able to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to study the implications of the recent divorce court legislation for the matrimonial jurisdiction of the magistrates' courts.

I have invited the Law Commission to consider:

(a) what changes in the matrimonial law administered by magistrates' court may be desirable as a result of the coming into operation of the Divorce Reform Act 1969 and the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act, 1970, and

(b) any other changes that may appear to be called for in related legislation in order to avoid the creation of anomalies.

The Law Commission has set up a Working Party under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Scarman, comprising representatives of the Commission and the Home Office, to consider this matter and to formulate proposals for any legislation that may prove necessary.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will request the Select Committee on Procedure to study the advantages and disadvantages of providing in future for the election of the Speaker by secret ballot.

I will give careful consideration to the right hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list those provisions of the Simonstown Agreement under which it is obligatory for Her Majesty's Government to supply arms to South Africa.

I have been asked to reply.I would ask the right hon. Gentleman to await the statement which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will make to Parliament when we have reached a conclusion in this matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is investigating the extent to which other fish have been contaminated following the decision of the United States Government to ban the sale of tuna fish on account of possible contamination; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. Although previous surveys in this country have shown the amount of mercury in the national diet is low, arrangements are advanced for monitoring a range of foods including fish for methyl mercury residues. I shall announce the details of the monitoring scheme shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information caused his decision not to bar the sale of tuna fish to the public.

As I announced on 22nd December, I decided that such action was unnecessary, after receiving from the Pharmacology Sub-Committee of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy advice which was based on all the available toxicological and analytical information.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he can now announce the result of his discussions with overseas Governments about the restrictions on the export of eggs from the United Kingdom.

Yes. Restrictions were imposed in 1957 upon exports of eggs from the United Kingdom to the traditional markets of the Netherlands and Denmark, in view of the heavy subsidies then payable upon eggs produced in this country. Circumstances have greatly changed in the intervening 13 years and we will shortly be moving to a free market in eggs. Following discussions with the Dutch and Danish authorities, I have decided that the restrictions are no longer necessary, and I have asked my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to remove the controls with effect from 1st February.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what liabilities Her Majesty's Government has assumed in relation to the purchase of Lockheed Tristar aircraft by Air Holdings.

In 1968, Air Holdings Ltd. ordered 50 Lockheed Tristar aircraft with Rolls-Royce RB211 engines. Air Holdings were given exclusive selling rights outside the United States, and assurances of full marketing support by Lockheed.If sales could not in the event be achieved, cancellation charges would be payable to Lockheed. On the most pessimistic assumptions, and including interest charges, the total potential liability if no aircraft were sold was estimated at about £15 million.This arrangement was backed from the outset by Rolls-Royce, who indemnified Air Holdings Ltd. against risk of loss. The previous Administration agreed to underwrite one half of this risk, up to a maximum of £5 million and subject to certain limitations.In return, the Government will get an appropriate share of the profits.So far, 11 of the 50 aircraft have been sold, to Air Canada and Air Jamaica. The total potential liability has thus been reduced to £10 million, again on the most pessimistic assumptions.Negotiations are currently under way with a number of airlines and I understand that further sales are expected in the near future.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply if he will make a statement on the progress of the Anglo-French Jaguar strike-trainer; when this aircraft will be in service; and how many, so far, have been ordered by each country.

Development of the Anglo-French strike trainer which is entering into its final stages has so far progressed satisfactorily. The aircraft will enter R.A.F. service in about two years' time and the United. Kingdom and French Governments foresee a purchase of 200 each.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Nigerian and Ghanaian Governments about the proposed transfer of routes from British Overseas Airways Corporation to Caledonian/British United Airways; and whether he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he is refusing to allow students living in Hong Kong new visas because they involved themselves in protests against the war conducted by the United States of America in South-East Asia.

During the last six months the Hong Kong Government have decided that it would not be in the best interests of the colony to renew the visas of a number of foreign research students.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the present purchasing power of the £ sterling as compared with 18th June, 1970.

Taking the value of a pound to be 20s. in mid-June, 1970, its purchasing power in mid-November, 1970, the latest date for which information is available, is estimated at 19s. 5d.This comparison is based on the movement in the General Index of Retail Prices.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what was the total sum held by the Post Office as deposits from telephone subscribers at the latest convenient date for which a figure is available.

This is a matter for the Post Office, but the figure is given in the Post Office Report and Accounts for the period ended 31st March, 1970, as £603,000 at that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the average number of people employed in the aerospace equipment manufacturing and repairing industry in the last year and at the most recent date; and what was the average wage for men over 21 years of age in this classification at each time.

The latest firm estimates of the numbers of employees in employment relate to June, 1969, but provisional estimates have been made for the production industries for subsequent months up to November, 1970. The estimated numbers of employees in employment in the United Kingdom in the aerospace equipment manufacturing and repairing industry (minimum list heading 383 of the Standard Industrial Classification) at June, 1969, November, 1969 and November, 1970, were 245,600, 246,200 and 234,900, respectively. When the final estimates for June, 1970, become available shortly, the figures for November, 1969, and November, 1970, may be revised.Inquiries into the average weekly earnings of manual workers in the United Kingdom in the aerospace equipment manufacturing and repairing industry were made in October, 1969, and April and October, 1970. The average weekly earnings of men aged 21 years and over at April, 1970, and October, 1969, were £28 2s. and £27 0s. 6d., respectively. The figure for October, 1970, should become available towards the end of February.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is aware of the recent report of the Office of Health Economics relating to the economic and industrial effects of sickness which results in 300 million working days being lost through certified sickness absence; what action he proposes to further develop occupational health schemes both public and industrial; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and my right hon. Friend are studying the report "Off Sick" to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been invested in development costs for the BAC111; and how much has been recovered.

I have been asked to reply. The Government have contributed £18·75 million and have recovered £2·44 million to date. Further recoveries are expected from future sales of aircraft and spares.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage response rate was achieved in his Department's recent requests for additional financial and operational information from British airlines; which companies refused to co-operate; and whether he will make a statement.

The financial statistics published in December in Business Monitor CA8 related to 79 per cent. of airlines by number, representing about 97 per cent. of capacity ton miles flown. I do not wish to name the companies which did not feel able to provide the information as invited by the Department. For a first inquiry of this kind the response was encouraging.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what have been the numbers of appeals to him against decisions of the Air Transport Licensing Board in each of the years 1960 to 1970; and how many have been successful.

I will write to the hon. Member with the figures.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce legislation to amend the duty of the Air Transport Licensing Board so that it will protect the interests of the travelling public rather than further the development of British civil aviation; and whether he will make a statement.

No. As the hon. Member is aware, the Government intend to establish a Civil Aviation Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce the result of airlines' appeals against the recent decision of the Air Transport Licensing Board to refuse a fare increase for domestic services.

The statutory period during which appeals may be lodged does not expire until 13th January. Only then can firm arrangements be made for a hearing to take place.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will make a further statement on the transfer of routes from the air corporations to British United Airways/Caledonian.

We hope to do so soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will approve the higher international air fares recently agreed by the International Air Transport Association traffic conferences; and whether he will make a statement.

I shall wish to consider the new fares as a whole. Not all of them have as yet been agreed and not all of those which have been agreed have yet been submitted to Governments for approval.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the area of land now acquired by his Department, by agreement and by compulsory purchase, respectively, under Section 20(2) of the Industrial Development Act, 1966.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions have taken place with the Association of British Travel Agents and representatives of the charter tour operators in regard to minimum safety requirements on chartered holiday flights; and if he will make a statement.

There have been no such discussions with the Department. Chartered holiday flights are subject to the same safety requirements as other forms of public transport of passengers by air.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates have been granted in Bedford and Kempston for each of the past six years, giving the areas covered in each case and the names of the successful applicants.

Industrial development certificates issued in the Bedford Employment Exchange Area (the Borough of Bedford and Ampthill and Kempston Urban Districts) are as follows:

Year	Number	Area
		('000 sq. ft.)
1965	5	31
1966	10	142
1967	9	244
1968	12	128
1969	14	255
1970	11	171

The names of individual applicants are confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the finances available from central Government funds to local highway authorities in Wales for the maintenance and improvement of second class and unclassified roads in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Expenditure on the maintenance and improvement of non-principal classified and unclassified roads forms part of local authorities' relevant expenditure which attracts financial assistance from the central government via the rate support grants. In 1970–71 the central government will bear 57 per cent. of the total relevant expenditure of local authorities in England and Wales. This figure is being increased to 57½ per cent. for 1971–72 and 58 per cent. for 1972–73.The formulae for distribution of the grant to the local authorities of England and Wales work in such a way that, on average in Wales, the proportion of relevant expenditure covered by grant is likely to be substantially higher, possibly of the order of 65 per cent. or more.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the total amount which will be spent by central Government in Wales in incentives to industrialists to develop in Wales in 1971.

It is not possible to make such an estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, how many people were killed and injured, respectively, on the roads in Wales during the Christmas holiday period 1970; and how this compares with 1969.

This information is not readily available as the special arrangements for collecting these figures at Bank Holiday periods have been discontinued.