asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has considered the Report of the Passenger Transport Co-ordinating Committee for Wales on Public Passenger Transport in South-East Wales; and if he will make a statement on his proposals consequent upon this Report.

Yes. I accept the Committee's conclusions and their advice that the establishment of a Passenger Transport Authority would not be the solution to the public transport problems in South-East Wales.

The Committee recommended that consideration should be given to the integration of municipally-owned buses with the National Bus Company. As a first step, I am drawing the attention of the municipal undertakings and the National Bus Company to this recom- mendation, with a request that they should report to me in due course the outcome of any action they decide to take to effect integration of services in South-East Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total acreage of derelict land in Wales cleared to date; and what is his estimate of the remaining acreage justifying treatment.

So far 97 schemes covering 2,367 acres have been formally approved for grant purposes of which three-quarters, covering roughly 1,775 acres, are estimated to be completed or largely completed. According to the latest estimates provided by local authorities, about 13,000 acres of dereliction in Wales justify treatment out of about 19,000 acres in total.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when it is proposed to commence work on the next phase of the redevelopment of the Neath General Hospital.

My right hon. and learned Friend has received no proposals from the Welsh Hospital Board for development beyond the new 93-bed maternity unit at present nearing completion.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the increase in unemployment in Wales.

Since I came to office I have received representations from a number of bodies and individuals about the high rates of unemployment which have prevailed in Wales since 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales for what purposes Monmouthshire is not treated as part of Wales.

Monmouthshire is joined to Wales for practically all administrative purposes. For the purpose of arranging Assize itineraries and ancillary matters, it is treated as part of the Oxford Circuit, but under the proposed reorganisation of the higher courts, Monmouthshire will become part of the Wales and Chester Circuit.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, what extra expenditure he is planning for improving north-to-south Wales communications in view of the uncertainty concerning the central Wales railway line.

The Welsh road programme already provides for continuing improvements in communications between North and South Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will list the amount allocated to each county authority in Wales for capital expenditure under his new loan sanction system.

The amounts allocated to county councils for locally determined schemes are as follows: £000 Anglesey … … … 363 Breconshire … … … 339 Caernarvonshire … … … 888 Cardiganshire … … … 283 Carmarthenshire … … … 932 Denbighshire … … … 1,370 Flintshire … … … 1,328 Glamorgan … … … 5,070 Merioneth … … … 347 Monmouthshire … … … 2,494 Mongomeryshire … … … 282 Pembrokeshire … … … 618 Radnorshire … … … 124

The corresponding amounts for the County Borough Councils are: £000 Cardiff County Borough … 2,338 Merthyr Tydfil County Borough … 472 Newport County Borough … 801 Swansea County Borough … 1,049

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will publish his conclusion on the application to him for planning permission to drill in Merioneth by the Rio Tinto Zinc Company in the near future; and whether he will make a statement.

I have not yet received the Inspector's report of the inquiry held last month.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much money was provided from the Exchequer for road construction in Carmarthenshire in 1960 to 1964 and 1965 to 1970, respectively.

Approximately £0.8 million and £1.7 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, how many houses were built in each quarter of 1970; and if he will break down the figures into local authority and private built.

The figures are as follows: 1970 Public Sector Public Sector Total 1st quarter … 1,785 1,832 3,617 2nd quarter … 1,749 1,927 3,676 3rd quarter … 1,697 2,453 4,150 4th quarter … 1,594 2,436 4,030 Totals … 6,825 8,648 15,473

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what target he has set for housebuilding in Wales during 1971, 1972, and 1973, respectively.

I have not set targets and do not intend to do so. I have every confidence that local authorities and private builders alike will carefully assess local need and build to meet it.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that the ear, nose and throat consultant to be appointed to serve the Mid-Wales area is based in Aberystwyth.

Ear, nose and throat services in the South West and Mid Wales are under review by the Welsh Hospital Board following the recent report of my Chief Medical Officer on Health Services in Pembrokeshire.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the actual expenditure in 1969–70 in Wales on roads and public lighting, housing, local government services, health and welfare and other expenditure; and what is the estimated expenditure under these headings in 1970–71 and 1971–72 at 1969 prices.

I would refer the hon. Member to Table 2.23 in the White Paper—Public Expenditure 1969–70 to 1974–75 (Cmnd. 4578) published on 28th January.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the average rentals in Wales for one-, two- and three-bedroom council houses; and how these compare with national averages.

The Housing Rent Statistics (England and Wales) as at 31st March, 1969, published by the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants, and available in the Library, contains the most recent available information on council rents.

FAIR RENTS DETERMINED AND CERTIFICATED IN RENT REGISTRATION AREAS IN WALES (14TH MARCH, 1966 TO 31ST DECEMBER, 1970) 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1966–70 Registration Area Det. CFR Det. CFR Det. CFR Det. CFR Det. CFR Totals Anglesey 1 — 6 — 23 4 18 3 25 9 89 Breconshire 5 1 3 4 3 2 4 3 7 14 46 Caernarvonshire 11 1 16 2 52 5 26 1 29 13 156 Cardiganshire 2 — 5 — 6 — 13 — 4 — 30 Carmarthenshire 13 1 12 2 12 2 31 4 60 1 138 Denbighshire 16 2 8 2 6 1 116 15 26 17 209 Flintshire 36 16 54 28 54 30 140 30 104 31 523 Glamorgan 107 25 156 42 458 30 463 35 530 50 1,896 Merioneth 3 — 4 1 2 1 5 — 7 3 26 Monmouthshire 17 1 28 3 189 14 206 13 183 28 682 Montgomeryshire 2 — 8 4 6 7 1 2 11 4 55 Pembrokeshire 3 — 8 9 8 6 25 2 16 16 93 Radnorshire — — — — — — 12 — 3 — 15 Cardiff C.B.C 110 12 232 8 151 15 206 8 248 18 1,008 Merthyr Tydfil C.B.C. — — 4 — 3 1 11 — 6 24 49 Newport C.B.C. 9 1 21 8 17 3 35 7 40 19 160 Swansea C.B.C. 57 3 38 10 40 9 49 5 40 5 256 TOTALS 392 63 603 123 1,030 130 1,371 128 1,339 252 5,431 Key: CFR = Certificate of Fair Rent Issued. Det. = Fair Rent Determined and Registered. 1966 = 42 weeks. 1967 = 52 weeks. 1968 1969 1970

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing, for each area covered by a rent officer in Wales, the number of rents that have been determined, and the number that have been increased, together with the size of the average increase, and the number that have been reduced, together with the size of the average reduction.

The following tables relate to the statutory rent registration areas some of which are covered by more than one rent officer or share a rent officer with another area.

Table 1 shows the number of fair rents determined and certificated in each Rent Registration Area in Wales. Table 2 shows the number of cases suitable for analysis in which rents have been increased, decreased, or registered unchanged. The averages of increases and reductions in rent following registration are not available but the table shows the average registered rent for each registration area for each year. Not all cases determined are suitable for computer analysis. This factor, together with the time lapse between determination and analysis means that the number of determinations does not correspond with the number of cases analysed for any one year.

Comparable Cases Only—First Registrations 1966 1967 1968 Av. R.R. Av. R.R. Av. R.R. Registration Area I. D. N.C. £ p.a. I. D. N.C. £ p.a. I. D. N.C. £ p.a. Anglesey — — — — 2 2 1 85 15 2 1 69 Breconshire 1 2 — 50 — 2 1 131 — — — — Caernarvonshire 2 2 — 137 7 7 — 122 39 6 — 137 Cardiganshire — 1 — 26 — 5 — 118 2 2 — 128 Carmarthenshire 1 4 1 66 2 13 1 106 1 8 2 107 Denbighshire 6 4 — 165 1 7 1 137 3 2 — 74 Flintshire 11 12 — 105 16 11 — 108 11 5 2 133 Glamorgan 33 26 3 116 67 53 6 96 65 28 6 97 Merioneth — — — — 1 1 — 38 1 1 — 149 Monmouthshire 10 4 — 81 10 13 — 80 17 4 2 85 Montgomeryshire — — — — — — — — — — — — Pembrokeshire — 3 — 75 2 2 — 113 2 3 1 79 Radnorshire — — — — — — — — — — — — Cardiff C.B. 20 42 9 149 104 103 5 153 52 83 4 154 Merthyr Tydfil C.B. — — — — 1 2 1 102 — — — — Newport C.B. 3 4 — 125 4 6 — 120 2 8 2 165 Swansea C.B. 11 24 3 110 11 33 2 113 17 17 4 131 TOTALS 89 128 16 — 228 260 18 — 227 169 24 —

1969 1970 Av. R.R. Av. R.R. Registration Area I. D. N.C. £ p.a. I. D. N.C. £ p.a. Anglesey 10 3 — 153 13 3 — 124 Breconshire — — — — — — — — Caernarvonshire 13 6 — 145 8 7 — 135 Cardiganshire 3 8 — 123 4 1 — 134 Carmarthenshire 11 7 1 101 29 5 2 132 Denbighshire 9 5 — 146 7 3 — 160 Flintshire 54 8 1 130 55 14 2 139 Glamorgan 124 34 5 108 271 36 4 108 Merioneth 2 — — 83 2 2 1 87 Monmouthshire 43 5 2 90 20 13 1 121 Montgomeryshire — — — — 4 2 — 123 Pembrokeshire 16 2 2 87 4 1 1 153 Radnorshire — — — — — — — — Cardiff C.B. 82 82 7 165 95 49 6 203 Merthyr Tydfil C.B. 6 4 — 75 6 1 — 79 Newport C.B. 8 12 2 149 10 14 — 179 Swansea C.B. 20 13 6 141 23 22 1 160 TOTALS 401 189 26 — 551 173 18 —

Comparable Cases Only Re-registrations Anglesey — — — — 1 — — 137 Breconshire — — — — — — — — Caernarvonshire — — — — — — — — Cardiganshire — — — — — — — — Carmarthenshire — — — — — — — — Denbighshire — — — — 2 — — 182 Flintshire — — — — 1 — — 176 Glamorgan — — — — 1 — — 98 Merioneth — — — — — — — — Monmouthshire — — — — 1 — — 78 Montgomeryshire — — — — — — — — Pembrokeshire — — — — — — — — Radnorshire — — — — — — — — Cardiff C.B. 5 — — 209 24 — 1 190 Merthyr Tydfil C.B. — — — — — — — — Newport C.B. — — — — — — — — Swansea C.B. — — 1 78 1 — — 218 TOTALS 5 — 1 — 31 — 1 — I. = Increases. D. = Decreases. N.C. = No change. Av. R.R.= Average Registered Rent £ p.a.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will pubish a table showing for each area covered by a rent officer, in Wales, the number of cases that have gone on appeal to the Rent Assessment Panel, the number in which the panel confirmed the rent officer's decisions, the number in which the panel confirmed the rent officer's decision, and the number of cases in which the panel

TABLE OF OBJECTIONS REFERRED TO THE RENT ASSESSMENT PANEL UP TO 31ST DECEMBER, 1970 Rent Registration Area Objections Determined Reduced Confirmed Increased Withdrawn Not Entertained No Jurisdiction Outstanding at 31.12.70 Anglesey … 7 6 — 3 3 1 — Breconshire … 2 1 — — 1 1 — Caernarvonshire … 30 30 9 15 6 — — Cardiganshire … 3 1 — — 1 1 1 Carmarthenshire … 21 18 1 5 12 3 — Denbighshire … 15 11 1 5 5 1 3 Flintshire … 18 15 1 8 6 3 — Glamorgan … 226 223 21 26 176 3 — Merioneth … 2 2 1 — 1 — — Monmouthshire … 19 18 1 10 7 1 — Montgomeryshire … 1 1 — 1 — — — Pembrokeshire … 2 2 — 1 1 — — Radnorshire … — — — — — — — Cardiff … 114 98 14 30 54 12 4 Merthyr … — — — — — — — Newport … 4 3 1 2 — 1 — Swansea … 19 18 2 11 5 1 —

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what increase in the number of hospital beds available in Cardiff he anticipates by April, 1973; and whether he will make a statement;

(2) whether he will make a statement on the proposed reorganisation of the Cardiff Hospitals consequent upon the opening of University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

I shall make a statement about the reorganisation of the Cardiff hospitals as soon as possible; I cannot at present give estimates of future bed numbers in the Cardiff area.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what teachers' organisations in Wales he has met officially since the transfer to his Department of responsibility for primary and secondary education.

My officials, on my instructions, have already had dis- reduced the rent officer's decision, and the number of cases in which the panel increased the rent officer's decision.

The following table shows, by rent registration area, the number of cases referred to the Rent Assessment Panel and the results of those references.

cussions with the National Union of Teachers and the Assistant Masters' Association and will be reporting the outcome of these to me. If there would then be advantage in my meeting these, or other teachers organisations, personally. I shall do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will now publish his decision concerning the Canton, Cardiff Clearance Order.

I am giving close consideration to my Inspector's Report on this Compulsory Purchase Order, and I will issue my decision as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will now announce his proposals for local government reform.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given earlier today to the hon. Member for Rhondda, West (Mr. Alec Jones).

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the last date on which he met the Trades Union Congress Advisory Committee in Wales; what is the date on which he next proposes to meet them; and what representations he had received from them concerning the increase in unemployment in Wales.

As far as the first two points of this question are concerned, I would refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him to a similar Question on 1st December. The T.U.C. Advisory Committee in Wales has not made any representations to me about the increase in unemployment.—[Vol. 807, c. 351. ]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what alteration he has made in the duties assigned to the Minister of State since the transfer to the Welsh Office of responsibility for primary and secondary education; and whether he will make a statement.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to maintain a full nursing and medical consultant staff at Llandough Hospital, Cardiff, after the University Hospital is opened at Heath, Cardiff; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer the the right hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave on 23rd November.—[Vol. 807, c. 7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total of additional revenue he expects to collect in Wales by April, 1972, as a consequence of the higher prescription and medical charges due to come into operation in April, 1971.

About £650,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to announce his decision on the proposal by the Ministry of Defence to establish a gunnery range at Pembrey.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given earlier today, to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Wilkinson).

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are his plans for improving the staffing in the casualty units of hospitals within the Glanlowe Hospital Management Committee area.

Staffing of these hospitals is a matter for the Welsh Hospital Board and the Glantawe Hospital Management Committee. They endeavour to fill vacant posts by advertising and by approaches to local doctors.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the Government's plans for improving communications in Mid-Wales.

My plans provide for the necessary improvement of the trunk road system.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to reduce the worsening unemployment in Wales; and whether he will make a statement.

The current unemployment situation in Wales is almost exactly the same as it was in January in each of the last four years. I am confident that our policies for dealing with the situation will be more effective than those of the previous administration.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will discontinue the annual inquiry into the distributive and service trades.

The Annual Inquiry provides statistics which are essential for the compilation of the national income and expenditure accounts and the analysis of economic trends. The industries covered by the Inquiry account for a quarter of all capital expenditure by private industry. I fear that we cannot dispense with the Inquiry although I recognise the burden it imposes on business.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the average age of the members of the Air Transport Licensing Board; and what was it before the recent changes in the board's membership.

62 and 68 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether it was by his instructions that Caledonian Airways have preferred contributors to Conservative Party funds for the purpose of acquiring new capital investment in the proposed second force airline.

I have given no such instruction, nor do I accept the underlying premise.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what safeguards for British agriculture he inserted into the agreement with Romania, when negotiated, under which Great Britain sold irrigation equipment in return for canned pigmeat and horticultural produce.

The compensation trade arrangements for the irrigation contract to which I believe my hon. Friend is referring were negotiated between the commercial interests involved. As regards the increases in quotas for imports which were agreed by the former Administration in connection with that contract, I would refer to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Rye (Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine) on 17th December. Any dumping from Romania would be subject to anti-dumping duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new forecasts of fuel requirements have been made to him for 1971; and what proportions of coal, North Sea gas, nuclear power and oil is involved.

The Department and the fuel industries have had frequent discussions on prospective requirements in 1971. It would not be helpful to quote any one set of forecasts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many oil finds in the North Sea have been reported to him during the last six months; and which are the companies involved in the finds.

Three. The licensees concerned are B.P., Shell-Esso and the Phillips Group.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce a guarantee scheme to protect British direct investment overseas against political risks.

The Government are studying the feasibility of introducing a National Investment Guarantee Scheme and good progress is being made.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what time he considers that the revised Monopolies Commission will be able to undertake its simpler and shorter inquiries.

The Commission is already equipped to handle limited references made under the existing legislation, and we shall shortly be further strengthening its membership and staff. In formulating proposals for new legislation on monopolies, we shall review the powers to make limited references and the duties of the Commission in dealing with them.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, before coming to a decision on the site for another international airport near London, he will as a matter of urgency institute a comprehensive national study into the location of airports, air traffic control requirements, military demands on airspace, the future growth within the United Kingdom of both scheduled and charter services, and all related matters.

Much evidence on these matters is already available and the further studies proposed do not appear to be necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what decision he has now reached about the future of the Pre-Production Order Scheme.

The future of the Scheme is currently under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what decision he has made about the future of the Industrial Liaison Officer Service.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry on 14th January to the hon. Member for Stockport, North (Mr. Idris Owen) indicating that a decision on the future of the scheme beyond March, 1972, would be taken in the light of the Bolton Committee's report.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to introduce legislation to give effect to the changes in investment incentives announced in October, 1970.

Legislation on investment and building grants will be introduced as soon as possible. As stated in the White Paper on Investment Incentives, the Finance Bill will provide for the proposed changes in capital allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in view of the rise in unemployment, what action he proposes to take to stimulate industrial activity.

The Government's industrial policies will provide a firm basis for industrial growth and greater employment opportunities in the long term. Action to stimulate the economy is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many jobs were involved in the projects in respect of which, following the changes in financial incentives announced by the Government in October, 1970, 10 firms have reconsidered their decision to expand in Scotland.

Since many of the projects are at a very early stage of planning, there is not sufficiently reliable information to estimate the number of jobs involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms have indicated, since the changes in financial incentives announced in October, 1970, that they intend to expand in Scotland and would not have done so but for these changes.

I would not expect firms to volunteer comment to me on a hypothetical situation. Since 27th October, 1970 we have received 182 applications for i.d.c's or for assistance under the Local Employment Acts in respect of expansions in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to draw the attention of firms to the availability of the Government-built factory now vacant at Penygroes, Caernarvonshire; and how many firms have been approached by his Department for this purpose.

When the factory becomes available to us for reallocation, we shall do all we can to find a suitable occupier.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will announce the result of his discussions with the brewery companies about modifying the effects of the tied-house system.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) on 9th December, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new forms of publicity he has for attracting additional employment to the development areas.

The main forms of paid publicity used are Press advertising and the provision of descriptive literature to enquirers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give further details of the reasons why, in view of the fact that he received a letter from Mr. A. G. Hughes on 16th or 19th October, 1970 relating to the Companies Acts, he had not replied to this by 14th January when a further request for an acknowledgment or answer was sent; and whether he will ensure that replies are sent to correspondence which he receives.

I have nothing to add to the full reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 26th January.—[Vol. 810, c. 82. ]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quantity of cans for canning foodstuffs was manufactured in the United Kingdom in 1970 or the latest year for which figures are available; and what proportion of this consisted of cans with their insides lacquered to prevent the lead content of the solder used in the joints from contaminating the food.

In 1970 about 8,000 million cans were manufactured in the United Kingdom for food and drink. Of these some 3,500 million were fully lacquered internally; most of the balance were lacquered at both ends. The primary purpose of lacquering is not to prevent lead contamination but to retain good appearance and colour in certain foods. The Lead in Food Regulations, 1961 strictly limit the amount of lead which may be present in food for human consumption, irrespective of its origin.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to grant licences covering exploration on the Continental Shelf west of the Orkneys and in the Celtic Sea off Cornwall and the Irish Republic.

A production licence for four blocks west of the Orkneys was awarded in June last year. A decision has not yet been made about the timing of an invitation for further applications for production licences in the various areas of the Continental Shelf.

Exploration licences are granted at any time to acceptable applicants.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to be able to publish the Crowther Committee Report on Consumer Credit.

It will be some weeks hence, but I cannot set a firm date yet.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list by name the number of brewery companies that have gone bankrupt since the end of the second world war.

The information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the total of United Kingdom visible exports to and visible imports from each Commonwealth country in the Continent of Africa in each of the last five years, showing the percentage charge for each

Imports 1966 % change Over 1967 % change Over 1968 % change Over £' 000 previous year £' 000 previous year £' 000 previous year Gambia … … … 3,150 +108.2 3,536 +12.3 3,393 -4.1 Sierra Leone … … … 19,516 -28.1 22,524 +15.4 34,812 +54.6 Ghana … … … 18,492 +7.0 24,121 +30.4 35,047 +45.3 Nigeria … … … 112,664 0.0 78,925 -30.0 70,288 -11.0 Lesotho … … … 10,454 +16.3 1 -5.9 1 0.0 Botswana … … … 1,379 1,113 -19.3 Swaziland … … … 8,454 7,619 -9.9 Zambia … … … 79,930 +5.0 71,235 -10.9 89,827 +26.1 Malawi … … … 9,299 +36.8 9,293 -0.1 10,803 +16.2 Rhodesia … … … 4,582 -84.3 153 -96.7 101 -34.0 Tanzania … … … 22,599 +19.0 24,205 +7.1 24,438 +1.0 Kenya … … … 19,828 +22.5- 19,801 -0.1 25,348 +28.0 Uganda … … … 11,154 +28.9 13,745 +23.2 15,193 +10.5+

Imports 1969 % change over 1970 % change over Annual Average £' 000 previous year £' 000 previous year % change 1966–1970 Gambia … … … … … 2,025 -40.3 4,139 +104.4 +7.1 Sierra Leone … … … … … 36,149 +3.8 31,448 -13.0 +12.7 Ghana … … … … … 43,301 +23.6 38,948 -10.1 +20.4 Nigeria … … … … … 104,476 +48.6 123,874 +18.6 +2.4 Lesotho … … … … … 1 0.0 1 0.0 —* Botswana … … … … … 835 -25.0 3,153 +277.6 +31.7* Swaziland … … … … … 9,904 +30.0 9,411 -5.0 +3.6* Zambia … … … … … 105,525 +17.5- 101,384 -3.9 +6.1 Malawi … … … … … 10,650 +1.4 12,135 +13.9 +6.9 Rhodesia … … … … … 81 -19.8 49 -39.5+ -67.9 Tanzania … … … … … 23,961 -2.0 23,963 0.0 +1.5 Kenya … … … … … 25,738 +1.5+ 27,064 +5.2 +8.1 Uganda … … … … … 17,464 +14.9 17,652 +1.1 +12.1 * Annual Average 1967–1970.

Exports 1966 % change over 1967 % change over 1968 % change over £' 000 previous year £'000 previous year £' 000 previous year Gambia … … … 2,445 +10.1 2,637 +7.9 3,054 +15.8 Sierra Leone … … … 9,900 -6.9 8,526 -13.9 10,168 +19.3 Ghana … … … 31,311 -23.9 31,073 -0.8 33,343 +7.3 Nigeria … … … 66,962 -8.7 59,424 -11.3 59,022 -0.7 Lesotho … … … 318 -30.1 48 -23.6 115 +139.6 Botswana … … … 118 335 +183.9 Swaziland … … … 77 246 +219.5- Zambia … … … 26,637 +75.1 26,596 -0.2 35,921 +35.1 Malawi … … … 6,094 +72.1 6,091 -0.1 7,340 +20.5+ Rhodesia … … … 2,762 -91.3 1,091 -60.5+ 899 -17.6 Tanzania … … … 15,106 +36.4 14,320 -5.2 18,761 +31.0 Kenya … … … 43,986 +26.8 48,179 +9.5+ 47,876 -0.6 Uganda … … … 9,087 +20.6 8,198 -9.8 8,498 +3.7 year and as an annual average for the period.

Following is the information:

Exports 1969 %change over 1970 %change over Annual Average £' 000 previous year £' 000 previous year % change 1967–1970 Gambia … … … … … 2,627 -14.0 2,110 -19.7 -3.6 Sierra Leone … … … … … 13,758 +35.3 12,530 -8.9 +6.1 Ghana … … … … … 37,468 +12.4 38,380 +2.4 +5.2 Nigeria … … … … … 79,422 +34.6 114,385 +44.0 +14.3 Lesotho … … … … … 88 -23.5- 67 -23.9 +11.8* Botswana … … … … … 346 +3.3 426 +23.1 +53.4* Swaziland … … … … … 133 -45.9 353 +165.4 +66.2* Zambia … … … … … 35,485 -1.2 37,866 +6.7 +9.2 Malawi … … … … … 7,797 +6.2 7,983 +2.4 +7.0 Rhodesia … … … … … 925 +2.9 503 -45.6 -34.7 Tanzania … … … … … 18,277 -2.6 19,583 +7.1 +6.7 Kenya … … … … … 50,339 +5.1 52,822 4.9 +4.7 Uganda … … … … … 10,244 +20.5 9,960 -2.8 +2.3 *Annual average 1967–1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates have been approved in Barnsley and district during 1969 and 1970; what is the total factory space, and what is the proposed employment for males and the proposed total employment.

The information is given below:— INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES APPROVED IN BARNSLEY EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AREA Estimated Additional Employment* Number Area (' 000 sq. ft. ) Males Total 1969 … 22 453 370 510 1970 … 18 240 130 360 * Applicants' estimates of the additional employment expected to arise when projects are complete and fully manned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the full benefits for the attraction of industry and the clearance of dereliction now available to Barnsley County Borough and its surrounding districts; what effects these new inducements are having on the creation of new industry and the expansion of established firms; and if he will make a statement.

Barnsley is part of the Yorkshire Coalfield Intermediate Area. Intermediate Areas benefit from the following preferential measures:

1. ASSISTANCE UNDER THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT ACT, 1970 i. grants at 25 per cent., and in special cases 35 per cent., towards cost of factory building;* 248 ii. factory building by the Department of Trade and Industry through the Industrial Estates Corporation—both custom built and advance factories; iii. payments towards cost of transferring key workers to new undertakings; iv. financial assistance to local authorities and other bodies for the improvement of basic services where this is expedient with a view to contributing to the development of industry; v. financial assistance to local authorities towards the cost of acquiring and improving derelict land where it is expedient with a view to contributing to the development of industry in the locality. The rate of grant for eligible derelict land clearance schemes in the Barnsley Intermediate Area is 75 per cent.

* Building grants and factory building by the Department of Trade and Industry are linked to the provision of employment.

2. TRAINING ASSISTANCE

The full range of development area training grants and other training assistance are also available.

3. I.D.C. POLICY

Industrial development certificates are available on the same basis as in development areas.

4. INITIAL ALLOWANCES

Initial allowances are available for new industrial buildings and structures at a rate of 40 per cent., which was introduced as a temporary measure in April, 1970, and which the Government announced in October, 1970, will continue indefinitely. The national rate, presently at 30 per cent., will revert to 15 per cent. on 5th April, 1972.

From 1st July, 1969 to 31st December, 1970, 42 industrial development certificates have been issued for developments in the Barnsley group of employment exchange areas which the firms concerned estimate will give rise to 1,270 new jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what effect he estimates the changes in financial incentives announced in October, 1970 have had upon the number of inquiries made to his Department by firms seeking to establish new industrial projects in the Consett and Stanley Urban Districts in County Durham.

Since inquiries are rarely made about specific locations, no meaningful estimate can be made. The Department draws to the attention of all suitable firms the possibility of locating in Consett and Stanley.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many visits have been arranged by his Department since 18th June, 1970 for firms

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES APPROVED IN 1970 IN DEVELOPMENT AREAS Estimated Additional Employment ('000)* Number Area (' 000 sq. ft. ) Males Total Northern … … 1st Quarter … … 67 1,906 2.7 3.9 2nd Quarter … … 82 3,707 6.6 10.0 3rd Quarter … … 55 1,615 1.9 2.7 4th Quarter … … 57 1,178 1.3 1.7 Merseyside … … 1st Quarter … … 55 1,844 2.1 2.6 2nd Quarter … … 34 822 1.2 1.8 3rd Quarter … … 40 900 0.7 1.0 4th Quarter … … 41 1,186 0.6 0.8 South West … … 1st Quarter … … 11 230 0.5 0.6 2nd Quarter … … 15 292 0.4 0.7 3rd Quarter … … 11 186 0.3 0.5 4th Quarter … … 11 459 0.6 0.8 Scotland … … 1st Quarter … … 46 1,701 1.1 2.9 2nd Quarter … … 65 2,336 1.2 2.0 3rd Quarter … … 57 3,403 2.9 3.7 4th Quarter … … 55 2,992 2.0 3.3 Wales … … 1st Quarter … … 58 1,473 1.9 2.5 2nd Quarter … … 49 2,613 4.4 4.9 3rd Quarter … … 50 1,482 3.0 3.8 4th Quarter … … 63 1,479 2.0 2.8 * Applicants' estimates of the additional employment expected to arise when projects are complete and fully manned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates were interested in moving into the Consett and Stanley, County Durham, special development area.

Since 18th June, 1970, the Consett and Stanley area has been suggested as a suitable location to 13 firms, three of whom have visited the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from Edinburgh Corporation for the granting of full development area status; and what reply he has sent.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates were granted for each development area for each quarter of 1970; and how many new jobs he estimates will accrue from each quarter's figures.

The information is given is the following table:

granted for the Northern Development Area for each year between 1960 and 1970; and how many new jobs he estimates have accrued from each year's figures.

The following table sets out the number of industrial development certificates granted and the employment that the applicants estimated would arise. I regret that information as to the number of jobs that accrued from each year's approvals is not available.

Estimated Additional Employment* Number Area (' 000 sq.ft. ) Males Total 1960 … 182 4,488 5,360 8,640 1961 … 161 6,447 8,680 13,160 1962 … 97 2,954 6,230 8,130 1963 … 147 4,365 9,550 14,130 1964 … 225 8,227 18,400 29,470 1965 … 244 6,386 14,970 20,680 1966 … 240 8,611 15,930 21,960 1967 … 244 7,920 12,670 18,730 1968 … 283 12,011 15,010 20,340 1969 … 295 10,182 11,690 17,890 1970 … 255 8,406 12,380 18,430 * Applicants' estimates of the additional employment expected to arise when projects are complete and fully manned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent is the under-recording of exports still taking place.

There is no evidence to suggest that under-recording in recent months has differed from the estimate of 2 per cent. indicated by the checks so far made of export documents received against ship and air craft manifests; results of these checks are now available covering months up to September, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what interested parties he has consulted on the under-recording of exports following his statement of 16th November, 1970; and what new arrangements he has now in mind accurately to record the monthly export figures;

(2) when he intends to implement his new method of pre-entry recording of the monthly export figures.

In my statement of 16th November, 1970, I said that officials of H.M. Customs and of my Department would consult with interested parties in order to work out arrangements for a system of pre-entry of exports which would place the minimum burden on traders consistent with the over-riding requirement for accurate recording. The following national organisations have been consulted: Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Association of British Chambers of Commerce, International Air Transport Association, British Railways Board, Chamber of Shipping of the U.K., Confederation of British Industry, Institute of Freight Forwarders, London Association of Public Wharfingers, Road Haulage Association, Freight Transport Association Ltd., Aerodrome Owners Association, British Shippers' Council, British Transport Docks Board, Dock & Harbour Authorities Association, International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association, National Freight Corporation, U.K. Freight Forwarders Containers Association, British National Export Council, EDC for the Movement of Exports, Simplification of International Trade Procedures Board, British Export Houses Association, National Ports Council, Joint Airports Committee of Local Authorities. I cannot give a precise date when the new system will be introduced.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the organisations which have protested at his new form of export recording; and what ideas were submitted as alternative methods.

Representations about the introduction of a system for the pre-entry of exports have been received from the following organisationsAssociation of British Chambers of Commerce, British Export Houses Association, British National Export Council, Confederation of British Industry, National Economic Development Office, Simplification of International Trade Procedures Board, Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, British Rail: Shipping and International Services Division, South African Trade Association, London Wharfingers Association, The Society of Shipping Executives, Institute of Freight Forwarders, British Shippers Council, International Air Transport Association, Television News Air Liaison Committee, Airline Operators Committee (London Airport), Airline Operators Committee (Manchester Airport), Airline Operators Committee (Prestwick Airport), Joint Airports Committee of Local Authorities, British European Airways, Grimsby Incorporated Chamber of Commerce and Shipping, Bahr, Behrend & Co., Ford Motor Co. Ltd., A. Hurst & Co. Ltd., Laporte Industries Ltd., Linotype Ltd., Jointine Products Co. Ltd., Royal Doulton Tableware Ltd., British Pottery Manufacturers Federation, A.B. Volvo, D. D. Smyth & Co., Trio-Folberth, C. W. Thompson Jewitt & Co.

A number of broad alternatives have been suggested but we still consider that a system of pre-entry is necessary. Meanwhile the consultations promised in my statement of 16th November, 1970, are proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is taking to increase employment opportunities in the Consett and Stanley Urban Districts in County Durham.

I am aware of the situation in Consett and Stanley. The area will benefit from the measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 27th October, 1970. We will do all that we can to encourage the creation of additional employment opportunities there. Three advance factories are available for allocation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total number of insured males employed in Durham County in 1955, 1960, 1965 and 1970, respectively; and how many were employed in Government advance factories in each year specified.

The information is as follows: COUNTY DURHAM Period Estimated number of insured males Estimated number of insured males employed in advance factories * mid-1955 … 425,000 — mid-1960 … 422,000 — mid-1965 … 410,000 352 mid-1969 … 398,000 2,526 (latest convenient date) * Provided under the Local Employment Acts 1960–1970: information on employment in Government advance factories provided under earlier legislation is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the effect of the Post Office strike on trade, industry and industrial production and output; and what action he has taken, or intends taking, to offset these difficulties.

No estimate is possible. Much of industry and trade appears to be little affected. The Government has authorised the Post Office to waive its monopoly for postal services to enable industry and commerce to make their own arrangements to offset difficulties caused by the strike.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now announce what assistance the Government propose to give to industry to invest in North-East England, in view of the high unemployment rate there.

The measures set out in the White Paper "Investment Incentives" (Cmnd. 4516) and published on 27th October, 1970 are designed to improve the level and effectiveness of investment by industry throughout the country. The extended assistance available under the Local Employment Acts in the development areas should provide a stimulus to the provision of more employment opportunities.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce the name of the new Chairman of the National Coal Board.

As I told the hon. Member for West Ham, North on 16th December, I shall be making an announcement about this appointment in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for maintaining full employment in East Flintshire.

Employment in East Flintshire is at a high level. The area will continue to benefit as the Government's economic policies take effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he proposes to counteract the increasing number of redundancies in industry in Wales.

Wales will benefit from the measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 27th October, 1970 and we will do all that we can to encourage the creation of additional employment opportunities there.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what decision he has reached regarding the proposal for setting up a Bank of Wales.

As I informed the hon. Member for Carmarthen on 14th December exchanges between myself and the promoters of any proposed company are treated as confidential. No company has recently been registered by a name which indicates that it will carry on the business of banking in Wales.—[Vol. 808, c. 237.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the discussions which took place in Brussels on Wednesday, 27th January, 1971 on Great Britain's entry into Euratom; to what extent Great Britain was asked to contribute to the financial costs of industrial atomic knowledge; and what was the response of Great Britain's negotiators.

On 26th January, the Community Delegation made a statement about the implications, as they saw them, of the Entry of the United Kingdom into Euratom. These included a request for compensation for scientific knowledge to which we will then have access. In our reply the following day we said that we intended to play a full part in Euratom when, as we hoped, we became members. But we did not believe that a request for compensation for Euratom's existing stock of scientific information was justified.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunica- tions what representations he has received that commercial radio and television should be required to accept some financial responsibility for the live theatre; and what replies he has sent.

I replied to the one letter received that it would not be appropriate for me to tell the programme companies how to spend their revenues.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will make a further statement on the future of the British Broadcasting Corporation's local radio stations; and what reply he has made to requests that they should be handed over to commercial interests.

I do not yet have anything to add to my announcement of 6th August, 1970, a copy of which is in the Library. I have asked inquirers about the future of local radio to await the publication of the Government's proposals.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if, in view of the postal strike, he will give a general direction to the Post Office to arrange for an extension of time during which the current rates of postage will apply.

No. Since the Union of Post Office Workers' strike, whatever its final outcome, can only worsen postal finances, the need for the tariff increases already agreed is now greater than ever.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is the estimated cost of installing a telephone for all old people over retirement age who do not at present possess one; what is the estimated installation cost for the elderly housebound alone; and what is the estimated cost for those who are aged 70 years or over, only.

Information on which to base estimates is not available. Telephones connected to the public network are provided by the Post Office at standard tariffs.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he is aware that before and shortly after his announcement of the waiving of the post Office monopoly, pirate postal delivery services were operating; and if he will give a general direction to the Post Office to investigate all cases of failure to obtain a licence for such services, to prosecute those concerned, and to publish the number of applications for such licences made and granted.

I am aware of Press reports to that effect, but the Post Office does not need a direction from me to take any action it may think necessary.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications on what basis he calculates that postmen average a £25 3s. 8d. weekly wage; and what is his estimate of the average pay of the lower-paid workers in the manual grades without overtime over a period of 12 months, excluding the Christmas period.

These are matters for the Post Office, which tells me, however, that the figure of £25 3s. 8d. a week was obtained by sampling the earnings of postmen over the whole country. As regards the second part of the Question, I have no information in precisely that form, but it may help the hon. Member to know that the average basic rates of pay—that is, without overtime, allowances or London Weighting—during 1970 were, for postmen £18 a week, and, for telephonists, £15 4s. a week.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will obtain from the Post Office Board information giving full details to show to what extent the present Post Office strike has adversely affected their weekly income in the loss of revenue from all sources, including failure to send out and receive telephone accounts, and radio and television licences; and whether he will publish this information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

This is a matter for the Post Office, which has published an estimate of £½ million a day.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now withdraw the subsidy currently paid by Her Majesty's Government to help British citizens to emigrate to Australia.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimates he has received on the effect on the economies of the various Channel Islands of Great Britain joining the European Economic Community; and what discussions he has now had on these matters in the Brussels negotiations.

The discussions which I and my noble Friend the Minister of State for the Home Department have had with the Islands' authorities covered the effect of United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Community on the Islands' economies. The details of those discussions are confidential. The position of the Channel Islands has yet to be dealt with in Brussels.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there are any British citizens in Guinea; whether he is satisfied with their safety; and if he will make a statement.

According to our records, there are 14 British citizens in Guinea. Our information is that no action has been taken against British subjects in Guinea during the recent troubles there and I have no reason at present to fear for their safety.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the annual amount of official Government aid disbursed to India and Pakistan, respectively, in each calendar year since 1947 to date.

Consistent records of officiel Government aid to India and Pakistan since 1947 are available only for disbursements in each financial year. The following are the figures: BRITISH OFFICIAL BILATERAL FINANCIAL AID AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Financial Years India Pakistan Totals £ million Indus Basin Develonment Fund 1947–48 … — — — — 1948–49 … — — — — 1949–50 … — — — — 1950–51 … * — — — 1951–52 … * — — — 1952–53 … 0.1 * 0.1 — 1953–54 … 0.1 0.1 0.2 — 1954–55 … 0.3 3.0 3·3 — 1955–56 … 0.2 1.9 2.1 — 1956–57 … 0.2 1.5 1.7 — 1957–58 … 0.3 2.2 2.5 — 1958–59 … 19.1 1.5 20.6 — 1959–60 … 33.3 2.1 35.4 — 1960–61 … 28.5 3.1 31.6 0.3 1961–62 … 17.6 6.6 24.2 0.4 1962–63 … 22.8 8.2 31.0 4.1 1963–64 … 26.6 9.1 35.7 2.9 1964–65 … 30.9 10.2 41.1 3.2 1965–66 … 32.9 10.3 43.2 3.6 1966–67 … 43.9 9.7 53.6 2.5 1967–68 … 41.6 14.0 55.6 2.7 1968–69 … 34.2‡ 8.8 43.0 4.6 1969–70 … 45.7§ 11.6║ 57.3 1.5 Totals† … 378.3 103.9 482.2 25.9† * Amounts of less than £50,000. † May exclude small sums not strictly alloable to either country. ‡ Includes £2.6 million food aid under the Rome Food Aid Convention. § Includes £0.1 million food aid under the Rome Food Aid Convention. ║ Includes £0.5 million food aid under the Rome Food Aid Convention.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek to raise at the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations the recent executions of 58 persons in Guinea.

I do not consider that it would be helpful for Her Majesty's Government to take the initiative in raising the matter in the United Nations Human Rights Commission of which Guinea is not a member. Further more reports of these mass executions, which Her Majesty's Government would of course deplore, are not confirmed and may have been exaggerated.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, following the execution of 58 persons in Guinea, he will make representations to the Government of Guinea that those sentenced to life imprisonment in the recent trials should be treated with clemency, in view of his recent action over the Basque and Soviet trials.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to his supplementary question on 25th January.—[Vol. 810, c. 24.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what extra measures he is taking to counter the illicit import of drugs into this country.

Customs and Excise are active in this field, but it would not be in the public interest to disclose the measures being taken.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider taking steps to introduce a tourist tax to be levied on all foreign holidaymakers staying in Great Britain for more than three days.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to make a statement on the effects of the replacement of investment grants by depreciation allowances on the economy of North-East England.

It is too early to judge the effects of the changes in the system of investment incentives which were announced on 27th October, 1970. The reduction in the rate of corporation tax will be an important stimulus for the whole industry. The improved system of capital allowances which will concentrate assistance on profitable undertakings is designed to stimulate regional development more effectively than investment grants.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, since retirement pensioners who earn money to increase their pensions are taxed on their extra income, and if arrears are not paid, within a month letters threatening prosecution are sent, whereas in the case of business men, and entertainers who owe sums of money for many years, no such action is taken; whether he will state the authority for this; and if he will take action to ensure that all taxpayers are treated alike.

Demand notes referring to the possibility of recovery of tax by court proceedings go to any taxpayers long enough in arrear with tax due on an assessment without any discrimination of the kind suggested.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his examination of the requirement for coin dealers and numismatists to hold a licence from the Bank of England when they wish to trade in or collect modern gold coins has been completed; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend will be considering the results of this, and other studies on related matters, in the near future.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect of the postal strike on all Government Departments, their efficiency and output; to what extent the Inland Revenue and other tax departments failed to collect taxes during the previous week compared with a similar period in 1970; and whether he will ensure that taxpayers are not prosecuted for failure to pay taxes where the failure is due to the Post Office strike.

The Government are keeping under close review all aspects of the postal strike as it affects Government Departments, including the revenue departments, but it is too early to draw any conclusions about the effects of the strike on the flow of revenue. As to tax payments, individual cases will as usual be dealt with on their merits.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage rate would be required for a tax on personal wealth over £50,000 to reach a target Exchequer receipt of £350 million from such a source.

About 3 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the income to the Exchequer of a wealth tax at a rate of 5 per cent. per annum, on the assumption that personal wealth up to £20,000, £40,000, and £100,000, respectively, would be exempted from such a tax.

On the assumption that the charge was confined to the slice above the suggested limits the estimated yield for a full year is as follows: Exemption limit Yield of 5% Wealth Tax £m £20,000 … … 1,000 £40,000 … … 700 £100,000 … … 350

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the income to the Exchequer of a wealth tax at a rate of 1 per cent., and 2 per cent., respectively, per annum, on the assumption that personal wealth up to £50,000 would be exempted from such a tax.

£120 million and £240 million per annum respectively on the assumption that the charge was confined to the slice above £50,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what precise criteria he proposes to adopt for the designation of growth points as part of his regional policy.