asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he will now make of the contribution to housing which can be made by house improvements and conversion; and if he will make a statement.

I am delighted that the Government's campaign to encourage house improvement is having considerable success.

In the three months ending November the number of grants approved showed an increase of no less than 83 per cent. on the figures for the same quarter of the previous year.

Throughout 1971 my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction will continue actively to encourage this important method of improving the housing conditions of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will encourage those local authorities which have not encouraged house improvement and conversion in their areas to take full advantage of the housing improvement Acts.

I am indeed urging local authorities to stimulate wider public knowledge of the grants available for house improvement and conversion. I trust the building industry will also play its part in this vital task.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he takes to ensure that his decisions on land planning do not conflict with industrial development certificate and other policies which affect land planning decisions.

The industrial development certificate which must accompany most planning applications for industrial buildings ensures that applications are not inconsistent with distribution of industry policy. The office development permit system operates with similar effect. Neither industrial development certificates nor office development permits, of course, carry any commitment that applications for planning permission will be granted; such applications are decided upon proper planning considerations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular informing local authorities of how best to eliminate waste, increase efficiency and introduce savings in the course of their activities.

My circular of 9th September last urged local authorities to adopt more efficient purchasing methods; and I shall shortly be issuing another one about the use of work-study and productivity schemes. I will consider further circulars as the need arises.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress his Department has made in reviewing the machinery and terms of compensation in cases of compulsory purchase or blight resulting from road and redevelopment schemes; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to bring forward legislation which extends the assistance and compensation for blighted properties to a larger number of persons than those presently able to seek redress; and if he will make a statement.

Good Progress is being made with the review but I am not yet ready to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many housing improvement grants were approved for local authorities during the third quarter of last year; and what was the corresponding figure for the same quarter of 1969.

Grants approved for local authorities were 13,903 and 7,571 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average anticipated annual growth rate of expenditure on housing improvement grants over the next two years; and if he will make a statement.

The rate of expenditure in any given financial year depends mainly on the value of grants approved in the preceding calendar year. On this basis I would expect expenditure in 1971–72 to be double that of the present financial year. I cannot at this stage give any estimates for the following year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of east-west road communications with the city of Kingston-upon-Hull.

My right hon. Friend hopes to publish shortly a draft scheme for the section of the M62 between Ferrybridge and Rawcliffe to complete the route proposals for this motorway to its planned terminal at Balkholme. The form of improvements further eastwards is still under investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now announce the Government's housing targets for the ensuing year for both public and private housing.

The Government has fixed no target for 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the effects of tax and income changes, since the Mortgage Option Scheme was introduced, he will amend the scheme in order to allow provision for opting out earlier than the existing five-year period.

I am considering my hon. Friend's suggestion but am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the working of the Housing Cost Yardstick; and if he will make a statement.

The structure and operation of the yardstick will be examined by the Department in the light of the views of the local authority representatives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many inquiries have been received by new town corporations from tenants wishing to purchase their houses, since 23rd October, 1970; and if he will make a statement.

Since 23rd October last over 5,000 new town tenants in England have inquired about buying the house they rent and some 1,700 about buying other rented houses. This is an encouraging initial response.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to complete his review of the Green Belt; and if he will ensure that pressure for building land will not be allowed to eat into areas of designated Green Belt.

I shall announce the completion of the urgent review which I am undertaking for the purpose of formulating a Green Belt policy as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I will safeguard the approved Green Belts and, while I look to local planning authorities to make more land available for building, this must be without detriment to the safeguarding of Green Belts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he expects to introduce legislation to control the exhaust emissions from motor cars; and what is his estimate of the cost.

I shall shortly be laying before Parliament a regulation to require new petrol-engined vehicles to be fitted with means to prevent fumes escaping from the crankcase. I am considering what further regulations may be needed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he intends taking to further reduce noise from motor vehicles.

I have published draft regulations which would reduce maximum permitted noise levels in 1973 for most types of new vehicle.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will issue a general direction to British Rail to improve the disposal of waste material from trains.

No. The Railways Board is already studying improved methods and will shortly be testing a prototype chemical system.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what study he has made of road accidents involving driving licence holders of 19 years of age and under; and if he will make a statement on the incidence of drug addiction involved.

The Road Research Laboratory has made studies of the accident rate of young drivers under 20 and is at present studying the accident record of a group of newly qualified drivers under 25. Separate investigations, however, indicate that few accidents are attributable to the use of drugs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what financial support he is giving to Professor Arnold Beckett and others, who are making a study of the effect of drug taking on athletes and sportsmen.

None, but on the recommendation of the Sports Council a grant of £6,600 over three years is being given to Professor Prunty's team at St. Thomas' Hospital Medical School for research into the detection of the use of anabolic steroids.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what specific procedure he has set up for ensuring that all vehicles entering the United Kingdom comply with current regulations concerning size, weight, noise and the emission of fumes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to prevent the entry into the United Kingdom of foreign lorries which exceed the current weight regulations.

Spot checks at ports continue. I am considering whether further steps should be taken, and hope to make a statement before long.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what co-ordinating machinery he has now set up for reviewing the pattern of inter-city, Continental, and inter-Continental passenger and freight transport for the 1970's and 1980's by road, rail, high-speed rail and tracked hovercraft, sea and air; and what specific steps he is taking to determine the pattern of airports for larger aircraft, as well as airstrips and air pads for vertical take-off and landing and short take-off and landing aircraft.

This covers very wide areas. The creation of my Department and the Department of Trade and Industry has made it very much easier for us to develop and improve working arrangements for co-ordinating Government interests in these areas. It is beyond the compass of a reasonably short Answer to outline the work in hand but I should be happy to discuss this with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the Marylebone Cricket Club for compensation for the late cancellation of the South African cricket tour last summer.

None. But the Government are now considering a claim for compensation put forward by the Cricket Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has had from local planning authorities following his circular requesting the release of land for housebuilding over the next five years.

It is too soon to assess the response to advice issued on 14th December, 1970, but I am confident that it will succeed in bringing more land forward for development.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made of the rate of return on capital expended in new town development corporations; what criteria are applied to ensure the optimum use of public resources; and if he will make a statement.

The rate of return will vary according to the type of expenditure and the stage of development that has been reached in a particular new town. As the New Towns Act provides, the criteria applied to different kinds of development depend on what is reasonable in all the circumstances. Far commercial and industrial development, new town corporations are expected to obtain the market rate of return.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has received a proposal from the Greater London Council for an extension of the Fleet Line into south-east London; and if he will make a statement.

Only last week I discussed this with the G.L.C. and I am considering the application for a Government grant towards this proposed new line.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be in a position to give advice on the help outer London boroughs can give inner London boroughs with their housing problems, as recommended by Professor Cullingworth.

I have already stressed the need for a vigorous building programme in London and for Outer London to help Inner London as much as possible. The Department's officers are pursuing these aims in discussions with the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that on agricultural land all underground services are laid so as to be below the normal depth for land drainage and sub-soiling, or otherwise have indicator marker posts wherever they pass through a hedge or fence.

The depth at which services should be laid through agricultural land is in general a matter between the persons having control of the land and the statutory undertaker, who will no doubt have regard to any codes of practice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now give a firm date for the start of the Malton bypass on the A64.

The amended Firm Programme Report was received from the North Riding County Council early this month. My right hon. Friend will make an announcement about a place in the programme as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to deal with those actions of private landlords in London that have increased homelessness, as shown in the evidence submitted to him by the hon. Member for Willesden, West.

I shall consider this amongst other matters dealt with in the report of the Francis Committee. I hope to receive this in the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to prevent local authorities from increasing the rent of any council house which lacks a bathroom or other standard grant requirement.

Under the Government's proposals for the reform of housing finance local authorities in England and Wales will eventually charge fair rents. These will, of course, take account of the amenities of dwellings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the interests of road safety, he will introduce legislation at an early date making the fitting of tail boards on all new commercial vehicles compulsory.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from borough and county borough authorities in the West Riding of Yorkshire about local government reorganisation; and what replies he has sent.

Many local authorities, including many boroughs and county boroughs in the West Riding, have made representations to me about the reorganisation of local government. I have replied stating that all points made will be carefully considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to set up a National Highways Authority.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Glasgow, Govan (Mr. Rankin) on 10th November, 1970.—[Vol. 806, c. 102. ]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish figures of the traffic flow on the A2 through Canterbury of goods vehicles proceeding to and from the Continent for the years 1966 to 1970, inclusive.

The figures required are not available but some records for August, 1965, showed an average daily flow of 1,750 goods vehicles west of Canterbury and of 1,230 southeast of Canterbury. The 1970 census shows an average daily flow of 2,000 goods vehicles west of Canterbury—an average annual growth of slightly under 3 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to announce a simplification of the licensing system for passenger transport, particularly in respect of excursion and tour licences, in view of the fact that this has already been achieved in the field of goods transport.

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport Industries is reviewing the whole of the licensing system.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the failure of Crosville Bus Services, a subsidiary of the National Bus Company enjoying protection from competition, to provide a commercially viable service meeting social needs in Wales, whether he will now lift restrictions on private enterprise transport undertakings in the area.

There is nothing to prevent private operators from applying for licences to run services which Crosville cannot continue to operate. As my hon. Friend knows, we are, however, examining the licensing system to see whether it is flexible enough for present day needs, especially in rural areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement upon his latest discussions with the Humber Bridge Board, particularly with reference to grant or loan aid, and on what terms.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given earlier today to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, North (Mr. McNamara).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a further circular to local authorities in regard to the change to metrication, in view of the timber trades' progress in completing the changeover to metric within the time limits set by his Department.

I am not aware of any need for further guidance at this stage. Local authorities generally are well aware of the timetable which has been laid down for the change, and also of the importance of keeping to this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress made towards metrication, in view of the fact that the transitional period has been completed during 1970.

Metrication in the construction industry is proceeding smoothly and in accordance with the industry's agreed programme. This programme provides for the changeover to be substantially completed by 31st December, 1972. A number of commodities such as timber have already been metricated, but the transitional period overall is not expected to end much before that date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce a Bill to require local and riparian authorities to facilitate the riding of horses on the tow paths of rivers and canals wherever practicable.

No. Local authorities already have power to create bridleways, but it is for navigation authorities to decide whether horse riding can properly be allowed on tow paths under their control.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the average capital cost of a local authority four-apartment house, and the average rent for a four-apartment house; and by how much this falls short of the economic rent.

In England and Wales the average cost of a new three-bedroom council house is currently about £4,300. At 31st March, 1969, the average unrebated rent for three-bedroom council houses of all ages in England and Wales was 41s. ld. The cost rent would depend on the debt charges and current outgoings for each dwelling.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many persons were housed per £ sterling invested in recent years in municipal housing, private housing and housing associations, respectively.

The information necessary for such a calculation is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage, during the last convenient 12-month period, of county council planning decisions was reversed on appeal in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Hampshire.

The percentages of planning appeals allowed in 1970 were 26, 23, 30 and 27 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why he is delaying his decision on land in North Worcestershire, which Birmingham requires for its house-building programme.

I hope to issue it very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will be able to announce his new housing finance structure before May, 1971.

This will depend on how quickly I can conclude my discussions with the local authority associations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in considering the recommendations of the South-East Economic Planning Council, he will give special weight to the urgency of the need for the development and expansion of Ipswich.

In the light of the 1969 decision that there should be no induced growth at Ipswich by the creation of a new town there, the immediate requirement in the area is the accommodation of the almost inevitable natural growth within the shorter term planning. I understand that the local planning authorities have these matters well in hand. In commenting recently on the Report of the South-East Joint Planning Team the South-East Economic Planning Council, in proposing the eventual reconsideration of the omission of Ipswich and the Haven ports as a major growth area, were concerned with the longer-term possibilities after other major developments proposed by the team had become well established.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will state the criteria which are being applied to decide whether or not safety barriers should be installed when constructing new motorways;

(2) whether he will state the criteria which have been applied to decide the priorities in regard to the proposed programme for the installation of safety barriers on motorways.

I am giving priority to the roads carrying or expected to carry most traffic.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take as a result of the second report on cigarette smoking by the Royal College of Physicians.

I am considering the report as it relates to smoking in public places and on public transport and I believe that local authorities will carefully consider the report to decide what action they should take towards this particular personal form of pollution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give a report of his intensification of the enforcement checks being made on major construction sites of the continued and persistent use of unlicensed, uninsured and dangerous tipping lorries; and as many of these are being used on borough council clearance sites, if he will seek legislative powers to ensure that that local authorities do not use such lorries which are illegally on the public highways for council work.

The number of such vehicles appears to have been substantially reduced but the position is not constant, and our intensified checks will continue. I am sure that local authorities do not knowingly use or allow to be used such vehicles on work for which they are responsible.

I see no need for further legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give a general direction to British Railways that all land not disposed of within five years of its ceasing to be used for rail purposes be transferred to the relevant local authority at a valuation.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the proposed 15 per cent. council rent increase in Portsmouth with particular reference to its inflationary significance, its social significance for those with incomes just above the level of eligibility for rent rebates and its relationship to the level of wage increases which the Government regards as acceptable; and what action he proposes to take in the light of these considerations.

The council has submitted formal proposals under the Rent (Control of Increases) Act, 1969. As my right hon. Friend has a statutory duty to perform under the Act it would not be appropriate for me to comment while the council's proposals are being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the specific implications of the Government's policy towards public expenditure by local authorities for the city of Portsmouth in its current services, its current capital expenditure programme, its planned capital expendi- ture programme and its housing programme; and what detailed discussions he has held with the city council about this.

The Government have made provision in the Rate Support Grant Order, 1970 and in their capital spending programmes for the reasonable requirements of local authorities. Portsmouth County Borough Council has asked for a discussion with my Department of problems arising on the allocation of capital expenditure for locally determined schemes, and this is to take place next week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the total subsidy required in 1971 and 1972 from central and local government by rural bus operators if existing rural bus services are to be maintained at the 1970 level.

Expenditure on rural bus grants cannot be precisely estimated. Where operators' own resources do not suffice, it will be for local authorities to decide what services are essential and how they can best be provided. My Department contributes 50 per cent. of local authorities' expenditure on grants for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state his policy on the implementation of Part II of the Caravan Sites Act, 1968.

I wish to see Part II implemented quickly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider introducing a scheme similar to the Australian scheme, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Southampton, Test, to assist house purchase; and if he will make a statement.

A number of schemes for assisting house purchase have been suggested to me, including the one mentioned by my hon. Friend, they are being carefully studied.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to prevent the pollution of residential areas by smells emanating from offal recovery plants; and whether he is satisfied that existing legislation is effective for preventing or terminating such nuisance.

The local authorities already have ample powers under the Public Health and Town and Country Planning Acts to deal with this problem.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is yet able to announce a starting date for Stage 5 of the Northumberland Spine Road, namely, Bedlington Station to Ellington.

This scheme is still subject to agreement on the principal road pattern of the area and to the satisfactory completion of the necessary statutory procedures. It is too early to announce a starting date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will examine Thorne Waste, Yorkshire, with a view to assessing it as a site for an international airport, as suggested by the West Riding of Yorkshire County Council.

No. Any such examination of an individual site would be premature until decisions have been reached upon a third London Airport, the need or otherwise of an inter-continental airport east of the Pennines, a regional airport pattern; and similar considerations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department has considered the idea of tunnel motorways for city centres, as suggested in a paper presented in 1966 to the world meeting of the International Road Federation, details of which are in his possession; what conclusions he has reached; and if he will call for an evaluation of the idea.

The complete deep tunnel motorway network and parking system for London proposed in the 1966 paper were examined and were found to involve great costs and to present formidable technical difficulties. That does not, however, condemn tunnelling as a method of urban road construction.

The Department has been studying this whole subject and is planning to support a research and development programme on the design and construction of tunnels which, it is hoped, will lead to improved methods and reduce future tunnelling costs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to enable local authorities to compensate caravan dwellers when they acquire their sites for redevelopment.

If the caravan dweller has a tenancy of the site he already has a possible claim to compensation but the question of the extension of such claims to a mere licensee gives rise to wide issues of general law which need consideration in the comprehensive review of the compensation code, which we are undertaking.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total number of accidents and the number of persons killed and injured on that stretch of the A57 within the Rother Valley constituency between 1960 and 1970.

It is not practicable to extract figures for that stretch of road from police records prior to 1966. In the four years 1966–69 there were 181 accidents in which nine people were killed, 97 injured seriously and 171 slightly. Statistics for 1970 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide copies of the Road Research Laboratory's report on the cross-roads on the A57 in the Rother Valley constituency to the local authorities in the area; and on what date the report will be available.

I have written to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many vehicle accident fatalities in each of the last three years are considered to have been due to burst tyres; and what steps he is taking to encourage tyre manufacturers to conduct research into multi-sectional tyres to minimise the risk of such accidents in the future.

Statistical information is not available in the form my hon. Friend requests, but special police reports on accidents during 1969 and 1970, in which vehicle defects were considered to be a factor, included 166 fatal accidents. Four of these involved a burst tyre.

I am advised that multi-sectional tyres are unlikely to be a practical answer to this kind of accident.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will authorise the systematic monitoring of air pollution in major cities and in particular sulphur dioxide levels in urban atmospheres with a view to introducing legislation to reduce motor vehicle exhaust pollution and industrial pollution through technical regulations or to limit the movement of motor vehicles in cities at times of severe air pollution or both.

Smoke and sulphur dioxide are already monitored at over 1,000 sites throughout the country, most of them in towns, and the results are coordinated by the Warren Spring Laboratory, so as to guide us in controlling pollution from industry and vehicles. I am writing to my hon. Friend about the further controls I intend to introduce, including new regulations about emissions from vehicles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now make a statement on his pro- posals for local government reorganisation.

The Government expect to publish a White Paper in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will encourage local authorities to assist tenants of private property who have applied for suitable improvements to be carried out.

I hope that authorities will help in this way wherever the circumstances justify it, and if the hon. Member has any evidence to the contrary I hope he will let me have it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is yet able to state the intended publication date of the Ministry of Transport Survey on cost/benefit of railway services in Cornwall which was carried out during the summer of 1970.

I hope it will be ready this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many holidaymakers will be affected by the Transport Holding Company's decision to appoint a receiver for Skyways Coach Air.

I cannot say so early in the year how many holidaymakers could be affected, but I have already said that the Transport Holding Company will make refunds for unusable tickets. There are alternative routes available and I understand the tour operators have said they will help those who booked through them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many accidents have occurred on that stretch of the A57 within the Rother Valley constituency in each of the last five years; and what is the rate of those accidents per mile and the average number of accidents per mile on major roads in England and Wales in each of those years.

Accidents on A.57 in Rother Valley Constituency Accidents per mile Accidents per mile on motorways and A roads in England, Scotland and Wales 1966 … … 59 6.6 5.3 1967 … … 48 5.3 Statistics not produced in this form 1968 … … 42 4.7 4.6 1969 … … 32 3.6 Statistics not produced in this form Figures for 1970 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further progress has been made concerning the Channel Tunnel.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Mr. Sheldon) today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average waiting time for persons wishing to take the official driving test; and if he will make a statement.

Seven-and-a-half weeks on 8th January, 1971. But this is obviously long. The waiting time should soon be reduced considerably.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what profits were made by Thomas Cook Limited in each of the past five years; and whether he will make a statement on the Government's plans for the future of this publicly-owned enterprise.

The profits before tax of Thos. Cook and Son and its subsidiaries, for each of the last five available years are as follows: £millions 1965 … … … … 2.1 1966 … … … … 1.7 1967 … … … … 0.8 1968 … … … … 1.2 1969 … … … … 1.1

As to the second part of the hon. Member's Question, I have been reviewing the activities of the Transport Holding

I regret that all the information requested is not readily available. That which is available is as follows:

Company and its subsidiaries, including Thos. Cook and Son Ltd. I have come to the conclusion that there is no reason why the Government should continue to be involved in the travel agency business. I have therefore decided that Cook's should be sold as a going concern. I am discussing with the T.H.C. the most appropriate method of disposing of its other subsidiaries, Sir Henry Lunn Ltd., and Pickfords Travel Services Ltd. I hope to introduce the necessary legislation this session. Both the Chairman of the T.H.C. and I recognise the importance of this decision for the staff, whose interests we have very much in mind. The trade unions concerned will, of course, be fully consulted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the light of the Chester Committee Report, he will take steps to establish a Football Levy Board, similar to the Horse-Race Betting Levy Board, with the object of providing money to improve football grounds, and to obviate the occurrence of another Ibrox disaster.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary gave to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, West (Mr. James Johnson) on 13th January.—[Vol. 809, c. 75.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has sought the co-operation of local authorities in seeking increased efficiency and the curtailment of unnecessary increases in their expenditure; and by what means he has proposed that these policies may be implemented.

I sought the cooperation of local authorities in seeking increased efficiency and avoidance of unnecessary expenditure in the context of the Rate Support Grant negotiations. In particular, in discussion and in paragraph 22 of my report to the House (H.C. 172) on the Rate Support Grant Order, 1970, I drew attention to the scope for increased use of management services (in the development of which L.A.M.S.A.C. is playing a notable part), for incentive schemes and for bulk purchasing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total amount of the rate support grant and of rate rebates paid to the London Borough of Islington in the most recent year.

The latest estimate of the rate support grants for 1970–71 for the London Borough of Islington is as follows: £ Needs Element* … … 4,193,690 Domestic Element … … 548,873 * The figure for the needs element of rate support grant is the amount after deduction of 40 per cent. transferred to the Greater London Council. No account is taken of the effects of London rate equalisation schemes.

The Rate Rebate Grant for 1969–70, the latest year for which details are available was £19,882.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is now his intention to establish an ombudsman system for investigating complaints of maladministration in local government; and when he intends to introduce the necessary legislation.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the White Paper on local government reorganisation, which is to be published shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the total number of houses the building of which was forbidden on planning grounds in Great Britain as a whole and in urban and rural districts, respectively, during the last convenient 12-month period;

(2) how many applications for the building of individual houses in rural areas were submitted to planning authorities in England during the last convenient 12-month period; and what percentage was refused.

Statistics in the form requested are not available. Over 75 per cent. of all applications relating to residential development were allowed in 1969. These and other figures of planning decisions collected nationally are published in the booklet Statistics for Town and Country Planning.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the conservation of buildings and centres of historic interest.

The Government attach much importance to the protection of what is best in our architectural heritage. We will pursue an energetic administration of the law relating to listed buildings and conservation areas, the continuance of the pilot projects proposed for four historic towns, and we will review the need for additional powers to prevent the unnecessary demolition of buildings of merit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied that house building in the public sector in the West Midlands has been sufficient to meet the demand; and if he will make a statement.

It is in the first instance for local councils to determine the housing needs of their areas and to decide the amount of new house-building they can and should undertake to meet them. The number of new public sector houses built in the West Midlands stems primarily from decisions taken in this way by over 90 local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses were under construction in the public sector at December, 1970, in the West Midlands area of local authorities.

15,049.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres of derelict land were cleared in Scotland in each year since 1960; what is the estimate for each of the next three years; and what was the annual cost to public funds.

The following is the information: Year Acreage Cost £ 1960 … — — 1961 … 46.2 37,000 1962 … 2.1 5,000 1963 … 68.4 73,000 1964 … 77.8 138,000 1965 … 235.7 310,000 1966 … 274.0 417,000 1967 … 159.8 853,000 1968 … 147.4 228,000 1969 … 300.6 358,000 1970 … 329.1 793,000 1,641.1 3,212,000

Work is currently in progress for the clearance of 1,300 acres (£2,125,000), schemes for the clearance of 400 acres (£532,000) have been approved, and schemes for the clearance of over 4,000 acres (over £5 million) are under active consideration. I therefore expect that the next three years will see accelerating progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ensure that the proposed Scottish Assembly will have powers to amend any industrial relations legislation as it affects Scotland.

I must ask the hon. Member to await the proposals on constitutional reform which the Government have undertaken to bring forward in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths caused by lung cancer occurred in each of the last 10 years; and how many were of men and how many of women.

The number of deaths from cancer of the trachea, bronchus and lung in Scotland, each year 1960 to 1969, by sex, is as follows: DEATHS FROM MALIGNANT NEOPLASM OF TRACHEA, BRONCHUS AND LUNG, SCOTLAND Year Both Sexes Males Females 1960 … … 2,419 2,075 344 1961 … … 2,476 2,116 360 1962 … … 2,600 2,220 380 1963 … … 2,769 2,374 395 1964 … … 2,889 2,427 462 1965 … … 2,976 2,486 490 1966 … … 3,009 2,525 484 1967 … … 3,142 2,628 514 1968 … … 3,197 2,638 559 1969 … … 3,277 2,722 555

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to assist dairy farmers in Orkney whose costs have risen by at least 25 per cent. while the extra price for milk is no more than 6 per cent.

The economic position of dairy farming both generally and in various parts of the country will be carefully considered at the Annual Review. Changes in costs of production are one of the factors taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many men were recruited to the fire service in the last five years; and how many left the service in the same period.

Eight hundred and eighty-one men were recruited to the whole-time fire service in Scotland in the five years 1966–70. One thousand and nine men left the service in the same period.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the fire service is short of establishment calculated on the basis of all personnel working only a 48-hour week.

The authorised establishment of whole-time operational firemen required to man appliances in Scotland at the end of 1970 on present duty systems was 2,763. This establishment would require to be increased to 3,071 if all the men worked only a 48-hour week. The actual strength at the end of 1970 was 2,450.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he has given to the problem of bus services in rural areas; and whether he will make a statement.

The Government are urgently examining problems of transport in rural areas and in particular have mounted two pilot studies.

Meanwhile I hope that local authorities will consider using their power under Section 34 of the Transport Act, 1968 to support services which they regard as essential. Government grant of 50 per cent. of the local authorities' contribution is available and the balance is taken into account when Rate Support Grant is calculated.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much public money was spent on the anti-cigarette smoking campaign in each of the last eight years.

For the years prior to 1968–69 the information is not readily identifiable, but the best available estimate is given. Expenditure by local authorities is not included. Estimated Expenditure on Anti-Smoking Campaigns £ 1964–65 … 7,000 1965–66 … 21,000 1966–67 … 3,500 1967–68 … 4,000 1968–69 … 8,500 1969–70 … 8,500 1970–71 … 13,000 1971–72 (estimated) … 24,000

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement about the siting of an oil refinery at Hunterston in Ayrshire.

The application to site an oil refinery at Hunterston is still the subject of inquiry. I expect to circulate shortly the further evidence forecast in the letter of intentions issued on 9th December last.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many first offenders have been in remand homes for reports before sentencing during the latest convenient year.

During the year ended 31st December, 1969, 2,588 children were remanded in remand homes after finding of guilt for approved school or other reports. It is not possible from the statistics available to say how many were first offenders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drivers of motor vehicles were charged in 1970 for allowing their vehicle to make excessive noise.

Provisional figures indicate that during the first nine months of 1970 there were in England and Wales nearly 10,400 prosecutions of drivers for vehicle-noise offences other than sounding a horn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he will not introduce the necessary legislation to give him the authority to relieve the Departments concerned of the time and costs involved in prosecutions for the offences of not having the necessary vehicle documents, by enabling him to instruct the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to impound vehicles which do not show the current road fund licence, and to ensure that these vehicles are not released from the pound until the production of all relevant documents and licences and a set impoundage fee.

Because it would not be appropriate for my right hon. Friend to have such a power.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the amount being spent in the current financial year on research and development for the police; and how this compares with the average for the preceding five years.

Expenditure by the Home Office on scientific research and development for the police service is expected to be £480,000 in the current financial year 1970–71, compared with an average expenditure over the preceding five years of £131,572. These figures do not include the cost of telecommunications or forensic science research related to police operational needs; or the cost of the staff of the Police Scientific Development Branch in the Home Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the amount being spent in 1970 on providing new equipment for the police; and how this sum compares with the expenditure on this item in the last five years.

The only figures available are for all expenditure on supplies and transport for the police in England and Wales. Supplies Transport £ £ 1965–66 3,698,797 6,258,273 1966–67 4,565,728 7,469,647 1967–68 9,462,684* 9,487,691 1968–69 10,402,165 11,379,243 1969–70 11,091,822 13,689,305 1970–71 14,174,703 15,197,001 latest estimate

Supplies: This includes office equipment, photographic and scientific equipment, clothing and uniforms and communications.

Transport: This includes expenditure on petrol oil, tyres and licences, repair and maintenance of vehicles, and purchase of new vehicles.

* The figures for 1967–68 and subsequent years for supplies are not comparable with previous expenditure. This is because of procedural changes which resulted in some items previously included under "miscellaneous" being shown under the "supplies and services" heading.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Her Majesty's Government accept the 1962 Willink Report as the basis for the appropriate level of remuneration for the police force.