asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further discussions he has had with the European Economic Community on the proposals in the Werner Report; and with what result.

The issues raised by the Werner Report, although of great interest to us, are not matters which are being covered directly in the negotiations with the European Communities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the progress of Great Britain's negotiations to enter the European Economic Community.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Barnes) and other hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will state the terms on which the African Commonwealth states will be associated with the European Economic Community in the event of British membership of the European Economic Community.

The Communities have agreed that the alternatives listed in the Community's Declaration of Intent of 1963 would be open to independent Commonwealth countries in Africa, with the exception of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, whose position is the subject of further discussion. The choice between these alternatives lies with the Commonwealth Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends to rely on Article 108 of the Treaty of Rome in order to protect the United Kingdom's financial interests in the event of the United Kingdom joining the European Economic Community.

We accept that financial safeguards are provided for in Article 108 of the Treaty of Rome. In addition, in relation to the United Kingdom contribution to the Community budget, we are seeking some agreement reflecting the Community's own view that if unacceptable situations were to arise the Community's survival would demand equitable solutions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long he expects negotiations of entry into the Common Market to continue, in view of the continuing hostility being shown to it by the British electorate.

I am satisfied that all the parties are making efforts to see that the negotiations are concluded as soon as possible. I am optimistic that we shall be able to break the back of the negotiations by the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has had from Commonwealth countries on Great Britain's application to join the European Economic Community.

I and my right hon. Friends are in regular contact with representatives of Commonwealth Governments about Britain's negotiations for membership of the European Economic Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he proposes to publish a revised economic assessment on the cost of joining the European Economic Community as a White Paper.

No. I do not think that any revised assessment at this stage would add usefully to the information which has already been provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the discussions held by Ministers of his Department with Mr. Clifford Hardin, the United States Agriculture Secretary, on matters connected with agriculture, infringement of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and dangers to trade, etc., on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community without safeguards for agriculture.

I met Mr. Hardin on 14th December; our discussions were on British proposals for an interim levy scheme for certain agricultural products.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a further statement on Great Britain's negotiations with the European Economic Community in the light of the discussions which took place at Brussels on Tuesday, 15th December on the question of the central European control of currency and economic planning matters; and to what extent he estimates the failure to agree on these matters will delay the negotiations on finding acceptable terms for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

The discussions in Brussels on 15th December were confidential, but I understand that no conclusions were reached. The proposals for economic and monetary integration in the Werner Report are of great significance and we believe we have much to contri- bute, but the discussions of them are not part of our negotiations for entry into the European Economic Community, and there is, in our view, no reason why they should delay the progress in the negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what procedure is being followed to maintain an exchange of views among European Free Trade Association members on the negotiations by some of its members to enter the European Economic Community.

We are in close touch with our E.F.T.A. partners. Negotiations by E.F.T.A. members with the E.E.C. are discussed at E.F.T.A. Council meetings, both at official and ministerial level. It is our practice as it is the practice of other E.F.T.A. countries to brief E.F.T.A. representatives in Brussels after each negotiating meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further discussions he has had with the European Economic Community on the Werner Report.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement about the progress of negotiations to enter the Common Market.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Barnes) and other hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a progress report on his negotiations with European and Commonwealth leaders on the future of the Commonwealth sugar agreements in relation to Great Britain's possible entry to the European Economic Community.

In the negotiations with the European Communities we have asked for a form of continuing arrangement, subject to review. We remain in close touch with Commonwealth Governments about the future of sugar from developing Commonwealth countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received from Cornish fishing interests concerning fishery limits in the European Economic Community; and what replies he has sent.

Up to 20th January I had received 16 letters from Cornish fishing interests. My replies have explained that we have told the Communities that the introduction of a common fisheries policy raises problems for us, and that for the present we have reserved our position on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what safeguards he has been asked to secure for the Channel Islands if Great Britain enters the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.

My noble Friend the Minister of State for the Home Department and I have had confidential discussions with representatives of the Islands' authorities on the implications for them of Britain joining the Common Market. I would not wish to disclose details of these discussion which impinged on the negotiations in Brussels.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of the European Economic Community to consider possible exceptions to the general provisions of Article 92 of the Treaty of Rome, with a view to assisting upland farmers in the event of the United Kingdom entering the European Economic Community.

This has not arisen since the Communities have not formulated a regional policy in furtherance of Articles 92, 93 and 94 of the Treaty of Rome. Her Majesty's Government are keeping the position of upland farmers under close review in the context of the negotiations now taking place.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Common- wealth Affairs what advice he has received from non-governmental public bodies concerning the likely special effects upon Wales of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

There have been regular consultations between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and the National Farmers' Union. Her Majesty's Government are well aware of the special interests of the regions, including Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will submit proposals to the United Nations for an international agreement for co-ordinating domestic provisions relating to arrest, jurisdiction to try, and punishment of persons hijacking international aircraft.

The Convention for the suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, which provides an international legal frame-work for bringing hi-jackers to justice, was concluded at The Hague on 16th December, 1970. Its text will shortly be laid before Parliament as a White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the new aid agreement with the Kenya Government has yet been concluded; and whether it includes a provision for the purchase of farms owned by British citizens.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No", and to the second part "Yes".

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy concerning continued British financial support for farm resettlement schemes in Kenya.

As my predecessor announced on 15th April, 1970, a programme of further British aid for Kenya was agreed between the two Governments earlier that month. This programme included £3.75 million to enable the Kenya Government to make further purchases of British-owned farms for settlement and other purposes. Discussions about implementing this agreement are proceeding between the two Governments.—[Vol. 799, c. 257–8. ]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the policy proposals put forward by Her Majesty's Government to the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference on matters of overseas aid and trade.

I would ask the right hon. Lady to await the statement which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will be making to the House later this week.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had during the course of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference about the supplying of maritime arms to South Africa.

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the statement about the Conference which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will be making.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions took place at the Commonwealth Prime Miinsters' Conference about Great Britain's application to join the European Economic Community; and whether he will make a statement.

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the statement that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will be making about the Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the last date on which a financial agreement was made between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Malta; what were the terms of the agreement; what conditions have been agreed regarding the payment of any sums by Her Majesty's Government to Malta; when these sums are proposed to be paid; and whether they are proposed to be made by loan or by grant, or how otherwise

The terms and conditions of our present development aid to Malta are set out in the Agreement on Financial Assistance dated 21st September, 1964 (Cmnd. 3111) whch made £51 millions available over the 10-year period ending 31st March, 1974. Of this, about £28 millions had been drawn by 31st March, 1969. I reported to the House on 16th November the terms on which the balance of about £23 millions is to be provided. Of the £11.2 millions agreed for disbursement in the current financial year, £8.4 millions has been issued as grant and the balance of £2.8 millions is shortly to be issued as loan. Future annual phasing has still to be decided.—[Vol. 806, c. 845–46.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider amending the United Kingdom Working Paper submitted to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of the Seabed to provide for direct administration and law enforcement by an international authority.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about his conversations with the Foreign Minister of Israel.

I met Mr. Eban on 16th December. We had a full exchange of views on problems of mutual interest, including the situation in the Middle East.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on future policy in the Gulf.

I hope to be in a position to make a statement about our policy before long.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a further statement on the outcome of his initiatives with the Governments and rulers in the Gulf in the field of defence arrangements after 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will name the other interested countries referred to in the Supplementary Statement on Defence Policy 1970, with whom the Government proposes to discuss how Great Britain can best contribute to peace and stability in the Persian Gulf.

I would refer to the answer which I gave earlier today to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Carshalton (Captain W. Elliot).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what approaches have been made to Rhodesia so as to relieve hardship due to the freezing of assets and withholding of dividends to bondholders as a result of sanctions.

None, but an approach is, in my view, unlikely to succeed in present circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the action by the illegal réime in Rhodesia in expelling Guy Clutton-Brock, with particular reference to the five principles and the proposed negotiations between the British Government and the illegal régime.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken in protest against the arrest by Rhodesian police of Mr. Mutasa, the Chairman of the multi-racial Cold Comfort Farm Co-operative Society in Rhodesia, and the subsequent closure of that society.

The purpose as I understand it of Cold Comfort Farm was to give a practical demonstration of multi-racial co-operation. On the face of it the régime's actions against Mr. Mutasa and Mr. Clutton-Brock and the proclamation declaring the Cold Com- fort Farm Society to be an unlawful organisation are likely further to undermine such co-operation. I naturally regret any such developments, but we have no power on the ground to take effective action in cases of this kind. These developments underline the need to establish whether a settlement within the Five Principles is possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Swedish Government on the illicit importation of drugs into Great Britain through Scottish ports.

None. The investigations I have made have revealed no case involving Swedish nationals or ships trading with Scotland during the past year. If the hon. Gentleman has evidence of such a case he will no doubt pass it to the police.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further initiatives are now being taken by Her Majesty's Government towards the creation of a United Nations agency which can organise rapid relief for countries struck by earthquakes, floods and other disasters.

We are contributing to the United Nations Secretary-General's Report on disaster relief which will be presented in July. Our present thinking is that what is needed is not so much a new Agency as a small co-ordinating unit on the lines of the focal point which was established in the United Nations Secretariat last October.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has now had an opportunity for consideration of a British initiative in proposing a permanent United Nations disaster agency.

I would refer to the answer I gave earlier today to the right hon. Member for East Ham, North (Mr. Prentice).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what international organisations concerned with world population control Her Majesty's Government is represented.

The Population Commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. We also participate in the United Nations Fund for Population Activities and support the work of certain non-governmental organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what part the British representative played at the last meeting of the South Pacific Commission; and if he will make a statement.

The United Kingdom Commissioner played a full part in the meeting, which was mainly concerned with the adoption of a work programme and budget. Her Majesty's Government will make a contribution to the Commission's 1971 budget of £76,000, an 8 per cent. increase on our 1970 contribution.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost to public funds of repairing the damage done to the British Ambassador's car in Paris, in December last, whilst it was being used by a Member of Parliament; and if he will inquire into the circumstances in which the car was used on that occasion.

None. The French authorities have agreed to meet the cost. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 18th December.—[Vol. 808, c. 484–5. ]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what developments there have been in the levels of radioactive fall-out in this country in 1970; what increase there has been in radioactive material in rainwater; what health hazard is involved; and what representations he is making to France and China regarding the abandonment of nuclear bomb tests.

Following is the informationIn 1969 and the first half of 1970 fission products from atmospheric nuclear tests were detected in air and rainwater but the deposition in the United Kingdom was insufficient to cause detectable levels of iodine-131 in milk. Because of variations in rainfall the relationship between the deposit of strontium-90 and caesium-137 in 1969 and the first half of 1970 was variable, but overall there was little change in the total deposit, the recent addition approximately balancing the loss by radioactive decay of debris from past weapon tests. The impact of the recent nuclear tests is small by comparison with the effects of those which occurred in 1962–3, the health hazards from which were assessed in detail by the Medical Research Council in 1966. No representations to other countries are proposed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an official visit to Hong Kong.

Neither my right hon. Friend nor I have plans for paying an official visit to Hong Kong in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Czechoslovak citizens resident in the United Kingdom have written to him regarding assistance by Her Majesty's Government against threats of legal proceedings against them by the Czechoslovak authorities because they are residing in this country, coupled with threats of financial extortion against relatives in Czechoslovakia; and what replies he has sent.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects diplomatic relations to be resumed between Great Britain and Syria.

Not at any rate until we receive some intimation that Syria would wish to resume relations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the delays in dealing with immigration applications and relevant matters submitted to British High Commissioners, particularly in India and Pakistan, he will authorised an increase in the staffs concerned.

We are anxious to eliminate delays wherever they occur and will certainly authorise an increase in staff if this is shown to be necessary and to be the best way of dealing with the problem.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the last occasion prior to 29th December, 1970, on which a formal appeal for clemency was transmitted by Her Majesty's Government to a foreign government on behalf of foreign nationals resident in the country to which the appeal was addressed.

If my hon. Friend is referring to the recent action taken by Her Majesty's Government in respect of the Basque trial, I made it clear in my answer to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 18th January, that Her Majesty's Government had no formal locus standi to intervene in this case. They transmitted no formal appeal to the Spanish Government and the question does not therefore arise.-[Vol. 809, c. 196‒7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the progress of the Paris talks with the Ghana Minister of Finance regarding Ghanaian debt payments for 1971–72.

I am not aware of any talks in Paris about Ghana debt pay- ments for 1971–72. Perhaps the hon. Member has in mind the meeting of the Ghana Consultative Group which was held in Paris last December under the auspices of the World Bank and was concerned solely with Ghana's development aid requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government accepts Resolution No. 464 on the Creation of a European Youth Foundation which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 22nd September, 1970; and what action they have taken or contemplate to take on it.

The proposal for a European Youth Foundation is still under consideration and a number of fundamental questions including the sphere of action of such a foundation and the basis on which its funds would be contributed and administered, has still to be settled.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with Fyffes and the Jamaican Government on the future of banana growing in Jamaica; and whether he will make a statement.

My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, have had a number of discussions with representatives of Fyffes Group Limited and the Jamaican Government; these included a meeting with the Jamaican Minister of Trade and Industry on 11th January.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the estimated levels of capital and technical assistance to Botswana in the current financial year; and what are the planned levels for 1971–72.

The estimated 1970–71 level of aid is £5.409 million, made up of development aid of £2 million, budgetary support of £2.675 million, with loans of £154,000 for compensation and commutation of pensions of British officers, and technical assistance of £580,000.

It is not yet possible to indicate the overall level of aid in 1971–72, because the amount of budgetary aid has yet to be determined in the light of proposals which I am awaiting from the Botswana Government. Development aid in that year will be about £1.7 million, and technical assistance is expected to continue at about this year's level.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the estimated levels of capital and technical assistance to Swaziland in the current financial year; and what are the planned levels for 1971–72.

Capital aid is committed to Swaziland for the financial years 1970–71 to 1972–73. The total of this is £6,395,000 and I expect a third of it will be spent in each of the three years.

Expenditure on technical assistance in 1970–71 will be approximately £423,000. The present estimate of expenditure in 1971–72 is £332,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the estimated levels of capital and technical assistance to Mauritius in the current financial year; and what are the planned levels for 1971–72.

£1,930,000 and £277,000 respectively in the current financial year. I expect capital aid disbursements in 1971–72 to be at about the same level. There are no planned levels for technical assistance: applications are considered on their merits.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a progress report on the Government's action to meet the Pearson Commission target of 0.7 per cent. of gross national product devoted to overseas development through official Governmental programmes by 1975.

I have nothing to add to the replies I gave to the right hon. Mem- ber for Lanark (Mrs. Hart) on 16th November and 7th December, 1970.—[Vol. 806, c. 303; Vol. 808, c. 41]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a progress report on plans for British participation in the United Nations volunteer programme.

Plans for the operation of the United Nations volunteers scheme are being worked out by the United Nations Development Programme. I cannot say what form our participation in the scheme may take until the plans have been considered by the British volunteer programme and my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a progress report on action by British representatives in the Governing bodies of the United Nations specialised agencies towards the implementation of the Jackson Report.

British representatives on the governing bodies of the major Specialised Agencies have strongly supported the concept of country programming, which is the core of the Jackson proposals as endorsed by a consensus of the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme. Three of these bodies have formally affirmed their support for this concept.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on future British relations with the States of the Persian Gulf.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Carshalton (Captain W. Elliot).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the representations made by Her Majesty's Government regarding the deportation of Mr. John Williamson from Kenya on 7th January.

Discussion of this matter with the Kenya Government has not yet concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the dismissal of British officers from the Zambia Defence Forces and the representations made regarding the manner in which these dismissals were carried out.

The officers concerned were not serving members of British Armed Forces but had been recruited directly by the Zambian Government for service with the Zambian Army. Her Majesty's Government were not a party to the contracts and were not consulted about their terms.

The termination of services was carried out in accordance with the provision of the contracts which allowed for them to be terminated in this fashion. Her Majesty's Government were not requested to make any representations and had no locus standi for doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the costs of the British military relief operation following the East Pakistan disaster are to be borne by his Department.

Apart from an initial £30,000 from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Services Vote, the cost of the relief operation in East Pakistan will be borne on the Vote of the Overseas Development Administration and within the aid programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Anguilla.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks (Sir J. Rodgers) on 18th January.—[Vol. 809, c. 196. ]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish the circumstantial evidence which, taken with the oral evidence received by the United Nations Special Mission of Guinea, prompted Her Majesty's Government to accept the general conclusions of that Special Mission; to what extent the Special Mission considered the acts of aggression committed from the territory of the Republic of Guinea against Portuguese Guinea; and whether he will make a further statement.

The evidence on which we reached our conclusions included reports received from friendly missions resident in Conakry and a first hand report by a member of the staff of Her Majesty's Ambassador at Dakar who visited Conakry from 30th November to 4th December. These reports were, of course, confidential.

The terms of the Security Council Resolution, No. 289 (1970), only required the United National Special Mission to visit the Republic of Guinea. I have no doubt that the members of the Mission were aware of the background.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give a detailed list of the occasions when Members of Parliament abroad on official business have used official embassy cars; and for what purposes such vehicles were used.

Detailed records are not kept of all the occasions on which Members abroad on official business have used official cars.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms which were planning new industrial or commercial projects, or extensions to existing projects, in Scotland have now informed him that they are reconsidering their position, following the changes in financial incentives announced in October, 1970.

About 10, but it does not follow that these projects will not go ahead. I am sure that all firms are considering the significance of the Government's proposals on investment incentives for their investment programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms which were planning to establish new industrial projects, or extend existing projects, in the Chester-le-Street Rural District Council area, Chester-le-Street Urban District Council area, and the Washington Urban District Council area, have now informed him that because of the changes in financial incentives announced in October, 1970, they have decided not to proceed with such plans.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms were planning to establish new industrial projects in the Chester-le-Street Rural District Council area, Chester-le-Street Urban District Council area, and the Washington Urban District Council area, up to the end of October, 1970.

From 1st January to 31st October i.d.c.s for 16 projects were approved in the Chester-le-Street travel to work area and the Washington employment exchange area.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied that members of consultative councils can play a sufficiently effective rôle in the efficient running of electricity boards.

I think my hon. Friend's Question goes too far in attributing to consultative councils the rôle in the running of electricity boards; but there should be no doubt that members of consultative councils can and do play an effective role in looking after the interests of electricity consumers and in pressing their interests on the boards.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will announce his decision regarding the connection charges made to private developers by public utilities for the installation of gas and electricity on new housing developments; and for how long this issue has been under consideration by his Department and its predecessors.

I understand that complaints were received following an agreement reached in 1956 between electricity boards and local authorities on the basis of charges for new electricity connections. No solution to this problem acceptable to all parties has so far been found. We shall make an announcement as soon as we are able.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from representatives of private housebuilders for a meeting with the Minister for Industry regarding electricity and gas connection charges for private housing developments; and what reply he has sent.

The Federation of Registered House-Builders wrote to my hon. Friend in November asking for a meeting. They were told that he did not feel a meeting at that stage would be useful but that he would bear in mind the possibility when further progress in his study of this matter had been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will issue a general direction to the Central Electricity Generating Board to halt widespread reorganisation of its managerial arrangements for engineering design, construction and operations, in view of the upset in the work and lives of its staff, until Her Majesty's Government has decided on and announced its legislative proposals for the reorganisation of the electricity supply industry.

No. The question of what arrangements they make for discharging present statutory responsibilities is best left to them as a matter of day-to-day management.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those advance factories in Carmarthenshire which have been completed but which are unoccupied.

Llanelli Nos. 1 and 2; Hendy (Pontardulais No. 2).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries have been received from potential tenants in respect of the advance factory at Hendy, Carmarthenshire.

This factory has so far been suggested to 32 firms inquiring for space in Wales no firm applications have yet been received.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the facilities available, he will encourage a Government-sponsored research organisation to be located in Peterlee.

Where the Government directly control the location of research establishments funded out of public money, it will consider location at Peterlee, among other places.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware that manufacturers of meat or pork products are not required by law to state the minimum net weight of the main product on the can, which results in unacceptable variations in the net weights of these products as between one manufacturer and another; and if he will take steps to remedy this situation.

The Weights and Measures Act, 1963, requires manufacturers of canned meat or pork products to show the minimum net weight of the contents on the container. Compositional standards of canned meat and the labelling of foodstuffs are the responsibility of my right hon. Friends, the Minister of Agri- culture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Social Services.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the increase in unemployment in North Lanarkshire, what action he has taken, or proposes to take to reduce this figure to the national average or below by inducing industry to go to the area.

I am aware of the situation in North Lanarkshire. The area will benefit from the measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 27th October, 1970, and the Department will do all that it can to encourage the creation of additional employment opportunities there.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware of the increase in unemployment in Bootle; what action has been, or is to be, taken to reduce this figure to the national average or below; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware of the situation in Bootle. The area will benefit from the measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 27th October, 1970, and the Department will do all that it can to encourage the creation of additional employment opportunities there.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what are his plans for the future of British Broadcasting Corporation local radio stations: and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (1) if he will give an assurance that local radio will be allowed to continue in competition with the planned commercial stations; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he is satisfied that there are sufficient available frequencies for both local radio stations and commercial radio stations; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he has now made a decision about the future of the British Broadcasting Corporation local radio stations; and whether he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add at present to the announcement I made on 6th August, a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications how much money has been paid by the British Broadcasting Corporation for needle time for its local radio stations; and to whom.

This is a matter for the B.B.C. The Corporation tell me that they pay royalties to Phonographic Performances Limited in respect of the broadcasting of commercial records by B.B.C. local radio stations, but that the amount they pay is a matter of commercial confidence.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications on how many occasions during the past three years the appropriate Minister has drawn the attention of the governors of the British Broadcasting Corporation to breaches committed by them under Section 13(4) of the Licence and Agreement.

None.

asked the Minister of Post and Telecommunications what representations he has received concerning the future of British Broadcasting Corporation Radio Stoke; and whether he will make a statement.

I have had representations from a number of individuals and organisations in the Stoke area. I will bear these in mind together with all the other representations I have received on the subject of local radio.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will make a statement on the future of the Giro service.

No. My review is still in progress.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will attend the official opening of British Broadcasting Corporation Radio Derby.

I have no present plans to do so.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what discussions he has had with representatives of the British Broadcasting Corporation about the transfer of 247 metres, or any other medium waveband, to a competitive commercial national radio service.

My discussions with the B.B.C., as with other interests, about how best to plan commercial radio, are confidential. They have covered a wide field including the technical questions of frequencies.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will give a general direction to the Post Office to pay compensation to those telephone subscribers whose telephone is unusable owing to the threatened strike.

No. A general direction would not be appropriate.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will convene a meeting of the British Broadcasting Corporation and representatives of Independent Television to discuss a voluntary pause in reports of items involving violence where such reports might have the effect of continuing or increasing the violence.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will convene a meeting of the British Broadcasting Corporation and representatives of Independent Television to discuss a voluntary pause in reports of items involving violence where such reports might act as an invitement to violence.

No. The B.B.C. and the I.T.A. are responsible for their programmes and it would not be right for me to intervene. Both authorities are very conscious of the importance of reporting news in a responsible manner.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will revise the television levy.

The Independent Television Authority have made representations to me for a reduction in the levy on independent television. I am still studying their case in the light of the findings in the Report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on the Costs and Revenues of the independent television companies, but I am not yet able to say what the outcome will be.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is the impact on the volume of Commonwealth news transmitted from or received in the United Kingdom of the increase in the charge from 1d. to 3d. per word for Commonwealth Press cable rates.

The charges for Commonwealth Press telegrams were in-

NET INCOME SCALE: WHERE THE NET WEEKLY INCOME OF THE PARENT OF A FAMILY OF ANY SIZE SPECIFIED IN PART A OF THE FOLLOWING TABLE IS LESS THAN ANY AMOUNT SHOWN IN THE CORRESPONDING ENTRY IN PART B, THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN RESPECT OF WHOM THE CHARGE SHALL BE REMITTED IS THE NUMBER AT THE HEAD OF THE COLUMN IN PART B IN WHICH THERE APPEARS THE LOWEST AMOUNT IN THAT ENTRY WHICH EXCEEDS HIS INCOME PART A PART B Net weekly income in £p Size of family 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 … 11.95 2 … 14.70 14.10 3 … 17.45 16.85 16.25 4 … 20.20 19.60 19.00 18.40 5 … 22.95 22.35 21.75 21.15 20.55 6 … 25.70 25.10 24.50 23.90 23.30 22.70 7 … 28.45 27.85 27.25 26.65 26.05 25.45 24.85 8 … 31.20 30.60 30.00 29.40 28.80 28.20 27.60 27.00 9 … 33.95 33.35 32.75 32.15 31.55 30.95 30.35 29.75 29.15 10 … 36.70 36.10 35.50 34.90 34.30 33.70 33.10 32.50 31.90 31.30

creased by the last Government and are now a responsibility of the Post Office. The effect of the 1967 increase cannot accurately be gauged; the decline in the volume of such telegrams started some years before and may in part be due to increasing use of other telecommunications services.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if further provision is to be made from public funds for some children of broken marriages to provide for their education and board; and if she will make a statement.

Local education authorities already have adequate powers under the Education Acts to assist with the cost of boarding education in appropriate cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the net income scale proposed for free school meals means tests for different sizes of family; and from which date in April will the new test operate.

Following is the remission scale which I intend to incorporate in Regulations to be effective from the beginning of the summer term, 1971. I propose to lay the Regulations before Parliament shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will seek powers to prevent the running of an independent school by any person who is not a qualified teacher.

I invite attention to the second part of the reply to a question by the hon. Member for Newark (Mr. Bishop) on 15th January, 1971.—[Vol. 809, c. 160.]

MEMBERSHIP OF EDUCATIONAL BUILDING CONSORTIA (Full Members) CLASP (Consortium of Local Authorities Special Programme) Coventry C.B. Glamorgan Nottinghamshire Derbyshire Leicester C.B. Staffordshire Durham Manchester C.B. Yorkshire (West Riding) Gateshead C.B. Warwickshire SCOLA (Second Consortium of Local Authorities) Cheshire Leeds C.B. West Sussex Dorset Leicestershire Worcestershire Gloucestershire Sheffield C.B. Northumberland Hampshire Shropshire SEAC (South Eastern Architects' Collaboration) Hertfordshire Kent Essex CLAW (Consortium of Local Authorities in Wales) Anglesey Denbighshire Monmouthshire Breconshire Flintshire Montgomeryshire Caernarvonshire Glamorgan Merthyr Tydfil C.B. Carmarthenshire Merionethshire Swansea C.B. ASC (Anglian Standing Conference) Bedfordshire Lincs. Holland Yorkshire (East Riding) Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Lincs. Kesteven Yorkshire (North Riding) Huntingdon and Peterborough Lincs. Lindsey METHOD (Consortium for Method Building) Berkshire Devon Somerset Bristol C.B. Oxfordshire Wiltshire Cornwall Plymouth C.B. ONWARD (Organisation of North Western Authorities for Rationalised Design) Cumberland Bootle C.B. Stockport C.B. Lancashire Burnley C.B. Wallasey C.B. Westmorland Bury C.B. Warrington C.B. Birkenhead C.B. Liverpool C.B. Wigan C.B. Blackburn C.B. Preston C.B. Blackpool C.B. Bolton C.B. MACE (Metropolitan Architectural Consortium for Education) Inner London Bexley Hounslow East Sussex Brent Kingston upon Thames Surrey Croydon Merton Brighton C.B. Ealing Newham Eastbourne C.B. Haringey Richmond upon Thames Barnet Hillingdon Waltham Forest

The percentages of the total school building programme for which each consortium was responsible are not yet available for 1970–71. The figures for 1969–70 are as follows:—

Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. CLASP … … 10.0 CLAW … 0.2 ONWARD … 1.8 SCOLA … … 10.9 ASC … 1.3 MACE … 0.05 SEAC … … 8.7 METHOD … 4.9 TOTAL … 37.85

Note: The figures are based on the value of work started.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list the local education authorities currently acting in consortia for school building purposes; if she will name the consortia concerned; and if she will indicate the percentage of the total school building programme in 1970–71 for which each consortium was responsible.

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of school building work in 1964 and 1970 was carried out by local education authorities using proprietary industrialised building systems in consortia; what proportion was carried out by industrialised methods provided by a contractor on a package-deal basis, or designed by a private architect and built by a contractor; what proportion involved the use of traditional methods of construction; and what were the equivalent figures for each of the years since 1960.

The information is as follows: Programme Year Proportion of school building work carried out by local education authorities using industrialised building systems developed by consortia Proportion of school building work carried out by proprietary industrialised methods provided by a contractor on a package-deal basis, or designed by a private architect and built by a contractor Proportion of school building work involving the use of traditional methods of construction Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. 1960–61 2.9 11.2 85.9 1961–62 4.8 11.2 84.0 1962–63 4.2 10.4 85.4 1963–64 7.6 10.7 81.7 1964–65 9.5 13.1 77.4 1965–66 16.5 16.7 66.8 1966–67 22.4 17.7 59.9 1967–68 35.3 6.4 58.6 1968–69 35.9 5.5 58.6 1969–70 37.8 4.7 57.5 1970–71 Figures not yet available

Note: The percentages are based on the value of school building work started.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local authorities have received loan sanction to undertake new construction work by direct labour in respect of schools or other educational establishments in each of the last four years; how many projects were completed in each year; and what was the total value of the contracts.

This information is not available centrally since the selec- tion of contractors is a matter for local education authorities and the promoters of voluntary projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will seek to convene an international conference on drug taking among those of school age.

The holding of such a conference would not, in my view, help to solve the problems that confront us at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if she will allow exemptions to the rule that all teachers in secondary schools must be qualified by examination, in cases where teachers of proven ability in practice are now unemployed because they are classed as unqualified.

(2) whether she will provide that unqualified teachers may teach in secondary schools on the same basis as they can in institutions of further education.

There is no such rule, but my right hon. Friend does not intend to amend the regulations which provide for the phasing out from the maintained schools after 31st August, 1970, of unqualified occasional teachers.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will recognise qualifying examinations passed in other countries, for example, the Federal Republic of Germany, for entry to training colleges for teachers dismissed solely on the grounds that they are unqualified.

Area training organisations have discretion to approve the admission into colleges of education of candidates lacking the normal minimum qualifications.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in cases where exemptions from the rule preventing the employment of unqualified teachers have not been allowed and teachers have been dismissed in consequence, she will encourage training colleges to arrange for short qualifying courses for such people particularly older teachers and when they specialise in subjects, such as German, for which there is a shortage of teachers.

Most colleges of education provide shortened courses to which older students with suitable qualifications may be admitted at the discretion of the area training organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to make an announcement concerning her replacement programme of primary schools built in the period before 1900 as relating to Cornwall.

The first instalment of the primary school replacement programme, to start in 1972–73, includes an allocation of about £230,000 for Cornwall. This provides for the replacement of Charlestown County Primary School at a cost of £75,000 and other projects which are still under discussion. Local education authorities have been invited to submit proposals for the following year by the end of January.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of primary and secondary schools built before 1902 in each local education authority area, as reported in the 1962 survey, and in the most recent survey.