asked the Minister of Aviation Supply if he will now make a further statement on the finances of Rolls-Royce.

I have nothing to add to my statement of 4th February and to the speeches that my right hon. Friend and I made in the debate on 8th February. So as to avoid any possibility of misunderstanding, I would like to amplify one of the points I made on Monday about the Air Holdings arrangements. There are 110 firm orders for the L1011 and 68 options. Eleven of the 50 Air Holdings Aircraft are firmly ordered, and the other 39 count as options. My remarks on Monday might be read implying that all 50 count as options.—[Vol. 810, c. 1922–35; Vol. 811, c. 41–108]

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what steps the Government took when they had decided that they could not support the RB211 project to secure terms for the release of Rolls-Royce from its obligations so as to avoid the appointment of a Receiver and the damage to British interests that will result from this.

The Government invited the American Government and Lockheeds to consider what action they might take.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what steps the Government took when they had decided that they could not support the RB211 project to secure terms for the release of Rolls-Royce from their obligations so as to avoid the appointment of a Receiver and the damage to British interests that has resulted from the bankruptcy of Rolls-Royce.

The Government invited Lockheeds and the American Government to consider what action they might take.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what is the position of claims for industrial injury which may be brought by employees of Rolls-Royce Limited during the period that this company is in the hands of the Receiver.

Employees could pursue against the Receiver any claims in damages for injury in respect of events occurring while the business was in his hands. Rights to benefits under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Acts are unaffected.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what steps will be taken, if the RB211 contract is not proceeded with, to ensure that the skilled design teams at Derby are not broken up and lost to the British aircraft industry.

I will ensure that the Receiver is fully aware of the importance of this point. But I can give no guarantees about where redundancy will fall.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply whether the Receiver will be instructed not to receive foreign bids for the automobile division of Rolls-Royce Limited, or any other subsidiary of the company not taken into public ownership.

We all hope that Rolls-Royce cars will remain British, but I have no powers to instruct the Receiver.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply when he was informed, respectively, that Rolls-Royce Limited could, under no circumstances, escape the penalty clauses relating to delays in meeting production specifications for the RB211 engine, and that the loss on each engine supplied would be far in excess of the figures given in November 1970.

My Department was informed of the additional engine loss on 26th January. The liability for penalties has always formed part of the contract.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what is his estimate of the present number of holdings in the workers' share scheme of Rolls-Royce Limited; and what the future of this scheme will be under public ownership.

About 9,500.The Government will consider very carefully the position of the holders of workers' shares, but it is a matter which raises considerable problems and I cannot go further at this stage.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply whether he intends to acquire the Nuclear Division of Rolls-Royce, located in Derby, under the powers he is seeking in the Rolls-Royce (Purchase) Bill.

The Government will acquire whatever nuclear assets are necessary in the national interest.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what was the expenditure incurred by him on feasibility studies, airstrip and landing strip surveys for feeder line services between provincial cities in this country and on the Continent, during 1970 using short take-off and landing or vertical take-off and landing aircraft; what is his forward programme; and if he will publish details of the studies now being undertaken indicating their cost, and by whom they are being carried out.

No such studies specifically related to V/STOL feeder line services between provincial cities have been commissioned by the Department, but the availability of possible sites in a representative range of provincial cities was examined by Southampton University as part of the programme of studies into the feasibility of inter-city VTOL operations. The future programme will depend on the results of studies now being considered.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what proportion of the total training flights at Stansted numbering 28,378 in 1969–70 is intended to be transferred to Preswick, and what proportion to Thurleigh in 1971–72 and 1972–73.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to a Question in similar terms on 29th January. As I indicated in that answer, the figure of 28,378 quoted by my hon. Friend in his Question refers, I understand, to movements as distinct from flights. Since it relates to a past period, it would not be meaningful to speak of proportions of that number being trans- ferred elsewhere in future periods when the extent of flying training may differ.So far as B.O.A.C. are concerned, I have informed my hon. Friend of the expected level of training movements at Thurleigh in the next two years. How many of the increased movements can be regarded as transfers from Stansted is conjectual, since individual movements cannot be identified as ones which would have taken place at that airport in a prior year.I understand that B.O.A.C. have not made specific plans as to the number of training movements they may carry out at Prestwick in future years; it is probable that few of such movements would be of a kind undertaken at Stansted last year.I have no information as to the plans of other airlines to transfer activities from Stanstead.—[Vol. 810, c.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply if he will list the countries which have now placed reservations or orders for the Concorde aircraft, with the estimated number in each case.

The airlines who hold options for Concorde, with the numbers in each case, are as follows:

	Number on option
B.O.A.C.	…	…	8
Air France	…	…	8
Pan American	…	…	8
Air Canada	…	…	4
Air India	…	…	2
American Airlines	…	…	6
Brainiff	…	…	3
Continental	…	…	3
Eastern Airlines	…	…	6
Japan Air Lines	…	…	3
Lufthansa	…	…	3
Middle East Airlines	…	…	2
Qantas	…	…	4
Sabena	…	…	2
Trans World Airlines	…	…	6
United Airlines	…	…	6
Total	…	…	74

None of these options has yet been converted into a firm order.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply if he will make a further statement on the progress of the Concorde programme.

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to similar questions earlier today.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what steps he is taking to promote research into the noise problems associated with helicopters and light aircraft.

The Department is paying for a number of studies on helicopter noise. The problem of noise from light aircraft is being examined internationally.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply whether he has received the latest flight testing reports on the RB211 engine; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The present development engine has been performing satisfactorily in the flying programme at Lockheeds, but there are still significant development problems to be overcome.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply whether he took account of the latest tests carried out on the RB211 in Derby, with significant increases in engine power achieved since 18th January, when deciding he could no longer support the project.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to reach a decision on the siting and financing of the Thames Flood Barrier at Silvertown; and what type of barrier this will be.

The selection of a site depends upon trial borings and other tests with which the Greater London Council are proceeding urgently. I and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are ready to discuss the rate of Exchequer grant with the Council. I have already told them that he agrees that the right type of barrier will be a rising sector gate and asked them to begin detailed design work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement of Government policy on the release of white land for building purposes.

The release of any land for development is primarily the responsibility of the local planning authorities. Where proposals come before me for decision for the release of land, including white land, I shall consider them on their individual merits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has received from local authorities following the issue of his Circular 10/70, Land Availability for Housing; and what is the number of planning authorities currently engaged in the reassessment of land availability and housing needs.

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Northants, South (Mr. Arthur Jones) on 27th January, it is too soon to assess the response to advice issued on 14th December, 1970.—[Vol. 810, c. 117.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy on the conservation of historic towns in view of Circular 1/71; and if he will make a statement.

The Government's general policy is set out in the answer I gave on 27th January to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd). As was made clear in Circular 1/71, the Government accept all recommendations of the Preservation Policy Group except that on conservation grant, and on that we are keeping an open mind until further progress has been made with pilot projects. We will be spending more on improvements and conservation projects in Historic Towns than in previous years.—[Vol. 810, c.134.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now able to state when he expects to publish the proposals of Her Majesty's Government on the reorganisation of local government in England.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the earliest date on which he expects the reformed structure of local government in England to become operational;(2) what progress has been made towards bringing forward a measure of local government reform in England involving a devolution of power from the central Government and providing for the existence of a two-tier structure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he expects to introduce legislation on the reform of local government in England;(2) when he expects to lay before Parliament a White Paper containing his proposals for the reform of local government in England.

I hope to publish a White Paper next week on local government reorganisation in England.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now expects to be able to publish his proposals for the reform of local government finance.

I hope to publish a Green Paper on local government finance later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now expects to publish the Government proposals on the reorganisation of local government in England.

I hope to publish a White Paper next week on local government reorganisation in England.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from conservation or environment interests concerning the Central Electricity Generating Board's proposal to erect further overhead transmission cables close to the line of Hadrian's Wall; and what replies he has sent.

I have received representations against this proposal from four persons. Replies will be sent shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in his Department's inquiry into the means of improving and extending the work of the voluntary housing movement.

I have received the final draft of this Report this week and I will publish this as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much it is intended to invest in roads, railways, telecommunications, and airports, respectively, in each of the special development, development and intermediate areas in the next five years.

I regret that the detailed information asked for is not available. When considering expenditure on the forms of communications listed the Government will carefully consider the benefit of expenditure on communications to the areas as well as within the areas concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a further statement regarding the Government's involvement in the financing of the Humber Bridge, following his meeting with the Humber Bridge Board on 2nd February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now make a statement on the financing of the Humber Bridge.

The proposals which my officials put to officers of the Board on 2nd February are now being considered by the Board. I am not in a position to make a statement until I have their reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now arrange for a footbridge to be constructed over the new Al2 road at Marks Tey to facilitate the life of the village as a single unit.

No. Pedestrian facilities are already provided on the Marks Tey bridge. No further decisions can be taken until after the completion of a new pedestrian count which will be carried out shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to give powers to local councils to hold local votes on the desirability of the United Kingdom joining the European Economic Community.

No. This is not a local issue but a national one on which the decision rests with Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage, during each of the last six years, of planning decisions was reversed on appeal in Cornwall, Dorset, Devon and Hampshire, respectively.

The percentage of successful planning appeals is as follows:

		1966	1967	1968	1969	1970
Cornwall	…	15	13	18	17	26
Devon	…	21	20	25	27	23
Dorset	…	26	19	30	19	30
Hampshire	…	18	21	25	34	27

Information for 1965 is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table of atmospheric pollutants identified by his Department, and give the percentage level of pollution recognised by his Department as acceptable in each case.

An annual National Survey of Smoke and Sulphur Dioxide is published by the director of Warren Spring Laboratory, who has also issued several other publications about air pollution; and a great deal about industrial pollutants is contained in the annual reports of the Chief Alkali Inspector. To attempt to simplify this information in the manner suggested by the hon. Member would not be realistic.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the public bodies and organisations he has consulted since taking office on the subject of pollution of rivers, the surrounding ocean, the countryside and cities.

My Department is constantly in touch with all kinds of public bodies on pollution questions, but prominent among them are the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, the Clean Air Council and the Noise Advisory Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to amend the Clean Air, Measurement of Grit and Dust, Regulations, 1968/431 and the Clean Air, Measurement of Grit and Dust (Scotland), Regulations, 1968/1271; and whether an early date is contemplated.

Yes. I have this week laid before Parliament amending regulations due to come into operation on 1st March. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is considering similar amending regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give further consideration to the establishment of a derelict land reclamation agency as recommended by the Hunt Report.

No. It would be a mistake to take this work away from local government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria are used in the official designation of derelict land.

For the purposes of survey local planning authorities are asked to record land so damaged by industrial or other development as to be incapable of beneficial use without treatment but not to include land in active use or subject to restoration conditions. They are asked to distinguish between derelict land justifying treatment and derelict land not justifying treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to amend the Alkali &c. Works Order, 1966/1143, either through adding to the list of noxious and offensive gases under Schedule I or adding to or rescheduling the list of works under Schedule II.

My right hon. Friend has prepared a draft order scheduling primary aluminium smelting, petroleum, mineral, disocyanates and acrylates works and making corresponding additions to the list of noxious or offensive gases. This has been the subject of a public inquiry and he is at present considering the Inspector's Report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will enumerate all the Departmental committees of inquiry or commissions coming under the responsibility of his Department and indicate the dates on which to me to be vastly different from saying these were set up.

The Department has a very large number of committees advising on various aspects of the Department's work. Some of the more prominent of those in progress at present are:

	Date set up
The Urban Motorways Committee	July, 1969
The Committee on Steel Box Girder Bridges	December, 1970
The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution	February, 1970
The Forbes Enquiry into proposals for the Registration of Building Contractors	February, 1969

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations have been made to him by local authorities regarding the proposed routing of the A46 through Newark; and how soon a decision may be expected.

No formal representations have been made, but the views of the local authorities and other interested organisations have been incorporated in a Feasibility Study to determine a preferred line of A46 at Newark. This has been undertaken on my behalf by Nottinghamshire County Council, and my Department is now considering its findings. I hope to make a further announcement in the next few months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide as much information as is available to him as to how many dwellings in each of the inner London boroughs have a rateable value of between £250 and £450.

The information is as follows:

NUMBERS OF DWELLINGS WITH RATEABLE VALUES
		Over £200 but not over £330	Over £330
City of London	…	530	62
Camden	…	11,381	3,989
Greenwich	…	504	16
Hackney	…	984	14
Hammersmith	…	2,324	226
Islington	…	1,147	32
Kensington and Chelsea	…	17,879	13,347
Lambeth	…	1,715	47
Lewisham	…	618	8
Southwark	…	973	123
Tower Hamlets	…	43	—
Wandsworth	…	3,016	356
City of Wstminster	…	16,155	17,225

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why his Department has no available information concerning the number of dwellings in London as a whole with rateable values of between £200 and £400 when the latter is the upper limit for eligibility for protection under the Rent Act, 1968.

The information on which the replies to the earlier Questions from hon. Member were based is collected for general purposes concerned with the rating system and to provide the basis for the annual publication "Rates and Rateable Values". It does not distinguish dwellings by types of tenure and is not therefore directly relevant as a source of information on rent control.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide as much information as is available to him as to how many dwellings in each of the outer London boroughs have a rateable value of between £250 and £400.

The information is as follows:

NUMBERS OF DWELLINGS WITH RATEABLE VALUES
		Over £200 but not over £330	Over £330
Barking	…	34	—
Barnet	…	12,830	2,851
Bexley	…	125	5
Brent	…	2,607	119
Bromley	…	3,590	203
Croydon	…	4,408	343
Ealing	…	3,516	182
Enfield	…	2,790	243
Haringey	…	2,161	365
Harrow	…	2,753	176
Havering	…	408	21
Hillingdon	…	1,902	183
Hounslow	…	772	23
Kingston-upon-Thames	…	1,627	247
Merton	…	2,191	554
Newham	…	116	8
Redbridge	…	1,060	26
Richmond	…	4,122	438
Sutton	…	2,305	76
Waltham Forest	…	183	8

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to control the storage of oil and chemicals which are being kept in close proximity to a river.

Accidental pollution from such storage was considered by the Working Party on Sewage Disposal and my right hon. Friend expects to announce the Government's conclusions on their main recommendations shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of housing improvement grants approved during 1970; and how this figure corresponds with the actual number of approvals for each of the last six years.

The total number of house improvement grants approved in England and Wales during 1970 was 156,600, compared with 108,900 in 1969. Figures for earlier years are available in publications in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many housing improvement grants were approved for private owners during the third and fourth quarters of 1970; and what were the corresponding figures for 1969.

During the third and fourth quarters of 1970 30,900 and 31,300 house improvement grants were approved for private owners in England and Wales. The figures for the corresponding quarters of 1969 were 16,900 and 22,700.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made in his consideration of a new definition of homelessness.

My right hon. Friend is actively considering this question with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services. Further work needs to be done on this and other aspects of the problem, but I hope that a statement can be made on these issues generally before too long.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the rent rebate provisions announced in his statement on 3rd November will apply in full to tenants of housing associations.

My right hon. Friend is considering how the reform of housing finance might best apply to housing associations and will then discuss his proposals with the bodies representing the housing associations and the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in the discussions between his Department and the building societies on the subject of making home loans more readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what negotiations he is conducting with the building societies with a view to making home loans easier.

My right hon. Friend has not yet completed his discussions with the building societies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he can now say whether he intends to seek Parliamentary approval for the extension of the provisions of the Rent (Control of Increases) Act, 1969, beyond the end of June, 1971.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has made to the Walsall Borough Council about its decision to discontinue all council house building, in view of the long housing list in the borough and the housing conditions in many privately-owed houses which require demolition.

None. It is in the first instance for Walsall County Borough Council to determine what the housing needs of its area are and to decide whether it can and should undertake new housebuilding to meet them. I understand that the Council now intends to build a substantial number of dwellings suitable for aged persons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has made to the West Bromwich Council about that authority's sale of council land for private development, in view of the length of the housing list in the borough and the housing conditions, and in view of the need to make the best community use of land in the Black Country; and if he will order an inquiry.

None. It is in the first instance for the Council to determine the housing needs of their area and to decide how they can and should meet them. I understand that the last Administration did not object to West Bromwich Council making land available to private builders. I am sure that that decision took account of all the relevant factors in the housing situation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the concern many London people feel at being housed in tower blocks, and the fact that these are unpopular dwellings, if he will now make a statement on his policy towards these blocks.

I accept that families with small children are better housed on the ground, but surveys show that many other families like living in high flats. The problems of living at high density are not exclusive to high flats and we are continuing research into residents' reactions to different types of flats and houses.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how frequently have the default powers under Section 28 of the Housing Act, 1964, been used by local authorities to enable them to carry out improvements to property.

From 1st January, 1968, to 31st December, 1970, 115 dwellings have been improved by local authorities under default powers. I have no earlier information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many final improvement notices have been served under Section 17 of the Housing Act, 1964; and how many fines have been imposed.

5,364 immediate or final improvement notices under Sections 16 and 17 of the Housing Act, 1964, were served by local authorities up to 30th September, 1969, after which information has not been obtained. It is not possible to split the information received between the two sections. I have no information about fines.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many improvement grants, standard grants and special grants have been applied for, and approved by local authorities, under the provisions of Part I of the Housing Act, 1969, to the latest available date.

The information up to 31st December, 1970, is as follows:

	Improvement Grants	Standard Grants	Special Grants
Applications Received	72,721	84,650	520
Grants Approved	64,831	78,676	270

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities have carried out an inspection of their district under Part VI of the Housing Act, 1969; and what directions he has given in this regard.

I regret this information is not available. My right hon. Friend has given no detailed directions on the conduct of such inspections, since local authorities' problems and resources vary so widely. However, he intends shortly to publish guidance on the conduct of sample house condition surveys which will I hope be applicable to the needs of many authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many areas have been declared general improvement areas under Part II of the Housing Act, 1969; and what contributions have been applied for and granted under Section 37 of the Act, to the latest available date.

Up to the end of January, 115 general improvement areas had been declared in England and Wales by 87 local authorities. No contributions have yet been paid under Section 37 of the 1969 Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of lorries entering Great Britain were found to be overweight in 1970.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of lorries having their laden weight checked by his Department's officials were found to be overweight in 1970.

18·7 per cent. during the first six months of 1970; but examiners concentrate their checks on vehicles which look overloaded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many leaseholders in the City of Oxford have applied to purchase their freeholds under the Leasehold Reform Act, 1967 since it became law; and in how many such cases a sale was concluded.

These transactions have mostly taken place by agreement between private citizens and their numbers are not recorded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to reduce the average waiting time of seven and a half weeks, for persons wishing to take the official driving test.

None. In the course of January the waiting time was reduced by almost two weeks. I expect it to fall still further because testing capacity exceeds the normal rate of applications at this time of year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has received for the inclusion in the capital electrification programme of the Edinburgh-Newcastle railway.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to set up a working party to consider new machinery for the effective disposal of disused railway lines for recreational and other purposes, as recommended in the recent Appleton Report, "Disused Railways in the Countryside of England and Wales", a copy of which is in his possession.

I do not consider a formal working party to be necessary, but in the light of the report my Department are examining the disposal procedures in consultation with the interested bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received with regard to the imposition of a 50 miles per hour speed limit on the Padiham to Barrowfield bypass in North-East Lancashire; and what action he proposes to take in the light of such representations.

Lancashire County Council have submitted a proposal for a 50 miles per hour limit which is now being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the future of Skyways Coach Air Limited and the employment of its staff.

This is a matter for the Receiver, but I understand that a consortium of the staff have made an acceptable offer for Skyways' assets and are negotiating a contract with him with a view to operating an airline and keeping on most of the employees.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assurances of guaranteed routes have been given to the bidders for Skyways Coach Air.

I have been asked to reply.I have given no assurances of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why he refused to allow the Transport Holding Company to provide £100,000 as additional working capital to Skyways Coach Air Limited; and how many jobs are likely to be lost as a consequence.

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to the right hon. Member for Sheffield Park (Mr. Mulley) on 25th January. The question of redundancies is a matter for the Receiver and the prospective buyers who, I understand, hope to keep on most of the staff.—[Vol. 810, c. 31–33.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will state what progress has been made towards the implementation of Section 21 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970, which relates to badges for display on motor vehicles used by disabled persons.

The necessary consultations have almost been completed. Regulations to give effect to the Section are now being drafted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now publish details of the safety record of heavy vehicles during 1970, indicating the number of accidents due to excessive speeds, and poor maintenance, including faulty brakes; and how this record on all classes of road and in cities and towns compares with previous years.

Information for the whole of 1970 is not yet available but it is estimated that in 1969, of the 22,700 goods vehicles of over three tons unladen weight involved in injury accidents, 7 per cent. were defective or had a suspected defect. These included 1 per cent with brake defects, 1 per cent. improperly loaded and ½ per cent. with defective rear lights. Comparable information for earlier years is not available. Information on excessive speeds is not collected.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now make a further statement on the speed limit upon heavy vehicles.

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Fox) on 4th February, regulations are before Parliament which would subject lorries over three tons unladen weight to a motorway speed limit of 60 m.p.h.; and raise the limit on all purpose roads for vans not exceeding 30 cwt. unladen weight to 50 m.p.h.—[Vol. 810, c. 457.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money has been allocated for bus fuel grants in Wales from 1970–71 to 1974–75 out of the total specified on page 28 of the White Paper on Public Expenditure; and how much the figures differ from those envisaged in Command Paper No. 4234.

The estimates in both White Papers assume that payments for bus services in Wales will total about £1·2 million in each of these years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to transfer Thomas Cook and Sons to private commercial interests.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd) on 27th January.—[Vol. 810, c. 131–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware that on the Continent all lorries have to have on their vehicles for showing on request by appointed offices all relevant documents of entitlement to be on the highway; and whether he will take steps to initiate a similar system in this country whereby either documents or photostats thereof must be carried on the vehicles.

Yes, with the exception of certificates of insurance relevant documents have been carried on vehicles in this country since the early 1930s.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about his progress in revising the Highway Code.

I have recently concluded consultations with interested organisations and am grateful for the useful suggestions I have received. The current version of the Code however, has had only a short life, and is still correct and adequate as to most of its content. There is insufficient amendment to justify a revision of the Code at present. I therefore intend to produce a revised version at a later date and will then place a draft before the House as a Green Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will initiate discussions with the various manufacturers concerned with the production and supply of stationary auto-tutors on a simulator basis to see to what extent these can be supplied to his Department and to road driving test departments to assist in testing laerner drivers before going on to the roads, thus reducing hazards to all road users.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will initiate a television and Press campaign to inform all chronically sick and disabled persons of their rights under the 1970 Act.

As I said in reply to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) on 18th November, I have issued guidance to local authorities and hospital authorities on the various provisions of the Act. It is now for these authorities to implement the provisions having regard to the needs of the disabled in their areas and the resources they have available.—[Vol. 806, c. 412–13.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken to ensure that all educational establishments under the control of local authorities in Scotland are made more accessible to disabled people under Section 8 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.

I am about to issue a circular to education authorities drawing their attention to the requirements of Section 8 of this Act and offering guidance on provision for the needs of the disabled in educational buildings.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average cost to public funds per primary school pupil, per secondary school pupil under 16 years of age, secondary school pupil over 16 years of age, student at teachers' training college and per university student, respectively.

In 1968–69, the average costs per pupil to public funds of operating education authority schools in Scotland were as follows:

				£
Primary schools	…	…	…	89
Secondary schools	…	…	…	217

(These figures include loan charges; no distinction can be made between secondary pupils under and over 16 years of age.) In addition, expenditure per pupil (all schools) on transport, hostels, school meals and milk and the school health service was £18.The average net current cost per student in 1968–69 in colleges of education in Scotland was £301; I understand that no comparable figure is available for the Scottish universities. The average award per student under the Students' Allowances Scheme was £353 for colleges of education and £350 for universities, of which £63 and £75 respectively covered the cost of fees.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the decision of the South of Scotland Electricity Board to increase charges.

The fixing and varying of tariffs is a matter for the Board which took account of the Government's view that in present circumstances price increases should be kept to the minimum. The Board has informed me that it considers the increases to be necessary in order to meet rises in costs which cannot he absorbed by increased productivity, and that without them it would be unable to meet its statutory obligation to balance its revenue account.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement next week on the present stage of the building of Ninewells Hospital in Dundee; and when he now expects it to be completed.

I expect to receive in the course of this month a report from the Eastern Regional Hospital Board on the current review by the contractor of the previously announced completion dates for the new hospital and medical school at Ninewells. I shall make a statement as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many factories the Highlands and Islands Development Board has sought his authority to build; how many he has authorised; what will be their size and location; and on what terms they will be let.

The Highlands and Islands Development Board has to date sought my approval, which I have given, for five bespoke factories as follows:

		Square feet
Dalcross Industrial Estate (2)	…	7,733
		6,360
Milton of Culcabock	…	9,150
Thurso	…	8,533
Shetland	…	1,600

The normal terms are leases for 20 years, with breaks at seven and 14 years, at rentals assessed by the District Valuer, with rent-free periods of up to two years.I have now before me a list of the locations on which the Board proposes to erect advance or bespoke factories on the same terms. Four advance factories will be constructed in 1971–72.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to take steps to make legal aid available in the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland.

I propose that legal aid should be available for proceedings in the Lands Tribunal for Scotland from 1st March, 1971, when the Tribunal comes into operation, and that legal aid should be available in the Scottish Land Court from the same date.The regulations required to extend legal aid to the Tribunal will shortly be laid before Parliament, and a commencement order will be made in respect of the Land Court.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT local authorities in Scotland who have made agreements with bus companies to provide concessionary fares for pensioners and disabled people.

I regret that this information is not available: the introduction of concessionary fare schemes is entirely at the discretion of local authorities, who are not required to notify me of their decisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities keep records of all children born in their area according to colour and religion; and for what purposes such records are kept.

All Medical Officers of Health receive information about the place of birth of the parents of children born in their area. This may be of significance in relation to studies of maternity and children's illness, but the use made of such information is a matter for each local authority. Information about the religion of children born in each area may be relevant to the planning of school provision, but I have no comprehensive information about the extent to which local authorities collect it.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the 21 per cent. wage increase for women recommended by the Retail Food Trade Wages Council.

At a meeting on 21st January the Retail Food Trades Wages Council for England and Wales formulated proposals for increasing the weekly statutory minima by 28s. for men and 40s. for women. For the main grades the new minimum rates proposed are £13 10s. for men and £11 10s. for women per week of 42 hours.The Council is required under the Wages Councils Act to publish its proposals and to consider any representations concerning them before submitting them to my right hon. Friend. Until these statutory procedures have been completed it would not be appropriate for my right hon. Friend to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many local productivity associations he expects will cease to function as a consequence of withdrawal of financial support from the British Productivity Council.

It is too early to make a forecast. The Government are phasing out their grant over the next two years to give the L.P.A.s time to become self-supporting. The L.P.A.s, which are autonomous bodies, are currently considering their future prospects.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current level, at an annual rate, of Government expenditure specifically directed to industrial safety training.

My Department does not incur any expenditure which is specifically directed to industrial safety training. It is one of the duties of the Factory Inspectorate to enforce the relevant legal requirements in premises subject to the Factories Act. The Inspectorate also carries out a good deal of advisory work and gives some assistance on training courses. It is not possible to estimate what proportion of the expenditure on the Inspectorate is attributable to these activities. My Department also provides Training Within Industry Job Safety Courses, for which fees are charged.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent his policy for domestic air transport involves the transfer of British European Airways Scottish routes to a subsidiary.

I am in touch with B.E.A. on this subject but have yet to receive their firm proposals and to discuss these with them.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will discuss with British European Airways the acquisition by it of the Sikorsky 5–65–40 aircraft for use in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, and in the provision of feeder services for international air flights.

No. I understand Sikorsky are not yet committed to producing this helicopter, and B.E.A. have put no purchasing proposals to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money has been made available by Her Majesty's Government to Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited since the company's formation and on what terms; to what extent interest has been paid on such moneys; how the repayment of such moneys has been secured; and whether such security is now considered adequate by Her Majesty's Government.

1. Assistance to Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Ltd since February, 1968, is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has for the restructuring of British industry, following Her Majesty's Government's proposals for the abolition of the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation.

Restructuring is primarily a matter for industry itself assisted by existing financial institutions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether any study has yet been made into the number of commercial vehicles which may be required on the roads with the development of pipe-line transmission.

No study of this kind has been made. Commercial vehicles are needed to transport pipes and equipment used for pipeline construction but the numbers are not large. In general pipeline transmission does not greatly affect road transport; but where local pipelines are used to deliver a pumpable product direct to a customer, the number of tank vehicles on the roads is reduced.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that Mobil Shipping is co-operating in an Arab State boycott of British firms by instructing ships' chandlers in Great Britain not to provide Mobil tankers with its products of Israeli origin or appearing to be of Jewish or Israeli origin; and if he will advise all British firms to ignore such instructions and reject such threats of retaliation or boycott.

As has been repeatedly stated in the House, Her Majesty's Government are opposed to trade and shipping boycotts including the Arab States' boycott of firms trading with Israel, and indeed to any outside interference with British companies' freedom to trade. It is nevertheless for each company to decide in the light of its own commercial interests what its attitude is to be towards such boycotts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will cause an investigation to be made into the Electricity Council's plans for dealing with the recent power crises, and crises in general, and to ascertain why hospitals have no greater priority than the general body of consumers.

No. During the crisis last December electricity boards wherever possible gave hospitals priority.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he has given to regulation of the sale of property bonds.

I have decided to appoint a Departmental Committee to consider this and related problems. It will have the following terms of reference:

"To consider the working of the Insurance Companies Acts 1958–1967, and of the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act 1958, in so far as the latter is relevant, in the light of life assurance schemes involving the issue of equity-linked policies, unit-linked policies, property bonds and similar schemes, and to advise on the adequacy of the protection afforded by these Acts to policyholders in these schemes."

I am glad to announce that Sir Hilary Scott, a former President of the Law Society, has agreed to serve as chairman of the Committee. I will announce the names of the other members of the Committee in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many retailers have been prosecuted for offences under the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968; and of those prosecuted, how many have been found guilty.

By the end of last year local weights and measures authorities had notified the Department of 1,981 cases brought to court under the Trade Descriptions Act, in 1,744 of which the defendants were convicted on one or more counts. These notifications do not always identify the precise nature of the defendants' business, but it is clear that the vast majority supply goods or services direct to the public.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of the increase in thefts of platinum from steel works and other metal-using firms, he will seek to amend the Scrap Metal Dealers Act so that platinum is included among the metals for which records of deliveries and sales are required to be kept.

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend has no present plans for legislation to amend the Scrap Metal Dealers Act; but he is aware of the problem and will keep it under review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation compelling manufacturers to print uncoded death or preparation dates on prepacked fods.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Wood Green (Mrs. Joyce Butler) on 8th February.—[Vol. 811, c. 61.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what was the average price per pound of imported lamb at 1st June, 1970, and 1st February, 1971:(2) what was the average price per pound of pork sausages at 1st June, 1970, and 1st February, 1971;(3) what was the average price per pound of beef sausages at 1st June, 1970, and 1st February, 1971;(4) what was the average price per pound of home-killed pork at 1st June, 1970, and 1st February, 1971;(5) what was the average price per pound of home-killed beef at 1st June, 1970, and 1st February, 1971;(6) what was the average price per pound of home-killed lamb at 1st June, 1970, and 1st February, 1971;(7) what was the average price per pound of imported beef at 1st June, 1970, and 1st February, 1971;(8) what was the average price per pound of Cumberland sausages at 1st June, 1970, and 1st February, 1971;(9) what was the average price per pound of minced beef at 1st June, 1970, and 1st February, 1971;(10) what was the average price per pound of lambs' liver at 1st June, 1970, and 1st February, 1971;(11) what was the average price per pound of beasts' liver at 1st June, 1970, and 1st February, 1971;(12) what was the average price per pound of lambs' kidneys at 1st June, 1970, and 1st February, 1971;

No information is available for many of these items. For the remainder, average retail prices on 19th May and 15th December—the nearest available dates—were as follows:

	19th May, 1970		15th December, 1970
	(average price per lb.)		(average price per lb.)
	s.	d.	s.	d.
Beef: Home-killed
Chuck	6	4	6	6
Sirloin (without bone)	8	9	9	2
Silverside (without bone)*	8	2	8	5
Back ribs (with bone)*	5	7	5	10
Fore ribs (with bone)	5	6	5	8
Brisket (with bone)	3	7	3	9
Rump steak	11	2	11	6
Beef: Imported, chilled
Chuck	5	3	5	8
Silverside (without bone)*	6	7	7	2
Rump steak*	8	10	9	1
Lamb: Home-killed
Loin (with bone)	7	2	6	8
Breast*	2	3	2	0
Neck	5	7	5	0
Shoulder (with bone)	5	3	4	6
Leg (with bone)	…	0	6	5
Lamb: Imported
Loin (with bone)	5	2	5	3
Breast*	1	3	1	3
Neck	4	2	4	3
Shoulder (with bone)	3	8	3	9
Leg (with bone)	5	7	5	8
Pork: Home-killed
Leg (foot off)	5	7	6	0
Belly*	3	7	3	9
Loin (with bone)	6	8	6	11
Pork sausages	3	8	3	10
Beef sausages	3	1	3	3