asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the housing completion figures for the

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses were approved by his Department for construction in Dundee in 1970.

Proposals for building 1,147 corporation houses were submitted and approved in 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further plans he has for encouraging house building in Scotland.

Our policy is to encourage public authorities and private builders to meet outstanding needs as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to promote house building in Lanarkshire.

Our aim is to encourage local authorities, and private builders, to meet outstanding need as quickly as possible, wherever it exists.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an assurance that any increase in housing provision and finance in Central West Scotland will not result in decreased provision elsewhere.

Yes.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations has he received from the North-East of Scotland Development Authority on current levels of unemployment for the area; and what replies he has given.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many letters he has received since July, 1970, drawing his attention to the continuing rise in the level of unemployment in Scotland; and what replies he has sent.

Since July, 1970, I have received correspondence on a number of matters of national and local interest which has included references to the continuing rise in the level of unemployment in Scotland.In replying I have expressed my concern about the very high unemployment figures last summer in Scotland which have grown larger during the winter and which arise from the stagnant economic situation which we inherited, together with inflation. I have referred also to the steps taken by the Government to remedy this situation and to produce an economic climate which will encourage industrial growth in Scotland and the United Kingdom as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will convene a national conference in Scotland to discuss unemployment.

No. The existing forums for discussion are more than adequate, including the Scottish Economic Council and my regular contacts and meetings with representatives of industry and trade unions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will institute a check to ensure that all local authority social work services are adequate to meet the demands of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.

This is not necessary, because the Act in Scotland does not add significantly to the demands for social work services under the Social Work (Scotland) Act, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what date he has in mind on which to make operative Section 1 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.

The Section does not extend to Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department will be spending this year on research and development to assist in the mobility and independence of disabled persons under Section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.

About £55,000 in the financial year 1970–71.

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

The Act does not give me the power to instruct local authorities how its provisions should be implemented. I have, however, sent out several circulars to bring the requirements of the Act to the notice of local authorities and offered guidance on them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many housing developments, passed by local authorities to his Department for approval, there has been provision for disabled people under Section 3 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.

None, so far. The Act gives me no power of enforcement, but I have already reminded local authorities that the Act affects their housing responsibilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from local authorities in Fife regarding the failure of negotiations with the Scottish Bus Group for a concessionary fares scheme in respect of retirement pensioners and handicapped persons; and what replies he has sent.

My right hon. Friend has received three letters from local authorities in Fife about the operation of concessionary fares schemes, and he has forwarded them to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment, as the Minister responsible. I understand that his replies have indicated that such schemes must be settled by agreement between the local authorities and the bus operators concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will authorise the public expenditure involved in the appointment of debt collectors by local authorities where deemed necessary by those authorities for the collection of outstanding fines; and if he will make a statement.

Fines collection is not a function of local authorities, but of the courts. Expenditure on the staff of burgh or justice of the peace courts does not require authorisation from my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many old and retired people died of malnutrition in Scotland in the years 1969 to 1970; and if he will state the circumstances in each case.

Deaths of old and retired persons from malnutrition in the period numbered 26. The detailed circumstances in each case are not easily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people are awaiting admission as orthopaedic patients to the Dunfermline and West Fife Hospitals; how many have been waiting for longer than six months; and what steps he is taking to reduce the waiting period.

142 at the end of January, 38 of them for more than six months. The Fife Orthopaedic Service has been improved by the appointment of a fourth consultant.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will give special aid to Glasgow to speed the removal of slum and derelict property.(2) when and in what form special aid for Glasgow's housing will now be provided.

A broad indication of our proposals for special help to Glasgow was given to the House on 3rd February. A further statement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning the effect on employment of closures of factories in the Tayside area from October, 1970.

Since October, 1970, I have received eight representations on the general question of closures, redundancies and unemployment in Tayside: 17 representations have also been received about the closure of the Cupar sugar beet factory and nine about the redundancies at the Smedley factories in Dundee and Blairgowrie.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reports he has received from the Clyde Valley Planning Advisory Committee concerning the need for new industrial development to offset job losses in the area in the last seven months.

None from the Clyde Valley Planning Advisory Committee, and none as yet from the West Central Scotland Plan Steering Committee, to which the hon. Gentleman may be referring.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with representations of building trades unions in Scotland about unemployment in the construction industry in Scotland.

I met the Scottish Regional Council of the National Federation of Construction Unions on 16th October last, when the problem of unemployment in the building industry was discussed. It was also one of the subjects I discussed with the Scottish Trades Union Congress on 8th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement defining the relationship envisaged between the Scottish Office and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry.

I have recently put proposals to the council for joint operations designed to attract new industry to Scotland from overseas; and the countcil has accepted these in principle.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is his policy to encourage agricultural co-operative production and marketing in Scotland.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what survey he has made of the forthcoming employment prospect in the boatbuilding yards serving the inshore fishing fleet.

None, but I am informed that the yards are in general fully employed at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what work is at present being carired out in Scotland on micro-nutrients; where it is being carried out; and if he will make a statement.

A wide variety of work is being done on micro-nutrients or trace elements in plants, soils and animals, mainly at the Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, the Animal Disease Research Association, the Rowett Research Institute and the three Colleges of Agriculture. Detailed information about the work of these bodies is given in their annual reports.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what loss of egg production has been caused over the last six months by the outbreaks of fowl pest in Scotland.

The eight outbreaks of fowl pest in Scotland during the past six months affected small units and had little effect on egg production.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will institute a research project into the relationship of the excess consumption of alcohol as a contributory factor in the commission of crimes, including crimes of violence.

The link between intoxication and the commission of crime is already established. In relation to criminological research in Scot- land, studies on several subjects include the effects of alcohol.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy concerning the preservation of buildings of historic or architectural merit in Scotland.

We intend to encourage the conservation and improvement of historic buildings and areas to the maximum extent, using the new controls and powers provided in Part V of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, 1969. My right hon. Friend has given detailed policy guidance to local authorities in an official circular, a copy of which I am sending to my noble Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many infringements of the twelve-mile limit around the coasts of Scotland occurred in the past two years by foreign fishing vessels; how many were brought to court; and in how many cases there were convictions.

In 1969 and 1970 six infringements were detected, and there were six prosecutions and five convictions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress made by his Department and Edinburgh Corporation in discussing the need to relieve traffic congestion in the city while maintaining the highest standards of amenity for the citizens.

Following the latest proposals made to Edinburgh Corporation by the consultants carrying out the Central Edinburgh Planning and Transport Study, corporation officials have consulted my right hon. Friend's Department informally about the scope of the study. No other discussions are in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many positive reactors to the tuberculin tests

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for increased building by the Scottish Special Housing Association.

The Association will continue to build houses for economic growth and I am prepared to increase its building for overspill from Glasgow.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he accepts the view expressed in the Report of the Select Committee on Scottish Affairs, chapter 4, paragraph 27, that the for cattle were reported in each country of Scotland in each of the past five years to the nearest convenient date.

The information is as follows:Highlands and Islands Development Board has insufficient powers; and what action he proposes on the recommendation that the question of increasing them should be further studied.

My right hon. Friend has given the board's special powers the further study recommended in the report. They give the Highlands a distinct advantage over other development areas, and he has decided that they need not be increased.

asked the retary of State for Scotland what consultation there has been between the Scottish Office and British Petroleum on the future of North Sea oil and gas.

Whilst my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, is responsible for petroleum resources on the Continental Shelf, British Petroleum has kept the Scottish Office informed about the progress of its exploration in Scottish waters.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to enforce court orders granting aliment to women and children by separated or divorced husbands; and if he will consider a system whereby collection and payment of such orders is undertaken by the state.

Under Scottish laws, the responsibility for enforcing a court decree for aliment rests with the person in whose favour the decree has been granted. The procedure for executing diligence on such decrees and for the enforcement of civil debt generally is at present under review by the Scottish Law Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on his proposal to designate part of West Central Scotland as a special development area.

The Special Development Area was listed and became effective on 18th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will bring forward legislation making West Central Scotland a special development area.

I informed the House on 3rd February that I had been advised that legislation was not necessary. I confirm that this is the position.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the recent 20 per cent. price increase in off-peak electricity and 16 per cent. in ordinary electricity in southern Scotland.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Rutherglen (Mr. Gregor Mackenzie) on 10th February.—[Vol. 811, c. 181.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has studied the reports of the Council of Ministers and the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on transport as they affect Scotland; and what action he proposes to take upon them.

Yes. The principles recommended in the reports are already observed by my right hon. Friend's Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new jobs, male and female, are known to be available in each new town this year.

The number of new jobs cannot be forecast with accuracy, but the development corporations estimate that those arising this year from known industrial projects might be as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has sent to the recent letter received from the Inshore White Fish Producers Association and the Herring Producers Association about fishing grounds round the Scottish coast; and if he will make a statement.

The letter reaffirmed the views expressed in a memorandum handed to my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and to me at a meeting with the Scottish inshore fishermen's associations on 15th December. At that meeting we made clear to the associations that the Government are fully aware of the difficulties that the Scottish inshore fishing industry could face under the E.E.C.'s common fisheries policy and had reserved the United Kingdom's position on that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many blind persons are registered in the city of Edinburgh and throughout Scotland, respectively.

At 31st December, 1969, 1,261 in Edinburgh and 10,185 in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has framed for new road construction in the Highlands and Islands areas of Scotland to facilitate the tourist industry.

I have approved the construction of a further length of the Applecross road; I am considering a new line for A9 between Inverness and Invergordon; and the many improvements which are being carried out and planned on main roads in the Highlands and Islands will also benefit tourism.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received any inquiries as to the present and future potential of Scottish ports in regard to shipping and storage facilities; and if he will make a statement.

The potentialities of the Scottish ports and other transport facilities are regularly brought to the notice of potential developers by the Scottish Office and the Department of Trade and Industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many home helps are employed in the city of Edinburgh; and whether he will state the numbers so employed in 1968, 1969, and to the nearest available date in 1970.

Returns sent to my Department by Edinburgh Cor- poration, which is the responsible authority, show the figures as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many civil servants employed at the Scottish Office are in receipt of salaries in excess of his own Ministerial salary.

Five.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many civil servants employed in his Department are in receipt of salaries in excess of the salaries payable to his three Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State.

Four hundred and forty-one.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has now been the change in the number of civil servants in the Scottish Office since June, 1970.

Between 1st June, 1970, and 1st February, 1971, the number of non-industrial staff increased by 177. The number at 1st April, 1971, will be at least 84 fewer than authorised by the previous Administration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is arranging to meet the Executive Committee of the National Farmers' Union of Scotland to explain to that body the effects on Scottish agriculture arising from the United Kingdom gaining membership of the European Economic Community.

Since last summer I have arranged to keen in close touch with the union on this. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for Home Affairs and Agriculture joined with my right hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Minister of Agriculture in a meeting with the farming unions on 5th February to discuss the progress of the negotiations with the E.E.C.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Scottish agriculture interests on the Rating Bill; and what replies he has sent.

Agricultural interests in Scotland have welcomed the Bill while expressing some reservations about the effect of certain of the detailed provisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the strength of the Scottish inshore fishing fleet, by categories registered in Scottish ports as at 31st December, in each of the last five years.

The numbers of vessels in the Scottish inshore fishing fleet at 31st December in each of the last five years are:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the figures on health and welfare expenditure contained in Table 2.22 of the White Paper on Public Expenditure 1969–70 to 1974–75, Command Paper No. 4578, contains provision for increases in nurses' salaries.

Since, by convention, the individual programmes in all the tables, apart from Table 1.2, are expressed on a constant price basis, they take no account of possible pay increases arising from any current or future claim. Nurses' pay is currently the subject of negotiations in the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council and it would be inappropriate for me to comment at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the proposed cuts in public expenditure on agriculture, fisheries and forestry, from £55.4 million in 1969–70 to £45 million in 1974–75; and what effect he estimates these cuts will have on the cost of living.

The figures reflect the assumed savings in the cost of agricultural support that will arise from the gradual introduction of a system of import levies in place of deficiency payments. On the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis), on 7th December last.—[Vol. 808, c. 39–40.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will issue a separate White Paper giving more details of projected public expenditure up to 1974–75.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for East Stirlingshire (Mr. Douglas) on 16th February.—[Vol. 811, c. 392.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the estimated increase in public expenditure on housing between 1970–71 and 1974–75.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his similar Question today.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning possible deferment of the raising of the school-leaving age; and what reply he has sent.

I have received representations proposing deferment of the raising of the school leaving age from the General Teaching Council, three education authorities, the main teachers' associations, and other bodies and individuals.While the terms of the replies varied according to the precise nature of the representations it was stated in reply in each case that the views of the organisation or individual concerned had been noted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many private, fee-paying schools for mentally retarded children exist in Scotland; how many children attend them; how many of the schools are officially registered; and how often they are inspected by official Government inspectors.

Of the schools registered in the Register of Independent Schools, nine, with about 430 places, cater for children suffering from some degree of mental retardation. One of the schools is provisionally registered. Independent schools are specially inspected as often as necessary before final registration is granted. Thereafter, for obvious reasons, they are not inspected at stated intervals but as often as staff resources permit and when any particular question arises.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to introduce charges for admission to national art galleries and museums.

My noble Friend the Paymaster-General and I will announce the date when we have completed our discussions with the trustees of the institutions concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now make a statement about bull licensing in Scotland.

I regret I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in which year he intends to authorise the bridging of the Dornoch Firth at the Meikle Ferry.

The first step must be an assessment of the cost and justification of a bridge by comparison with maintaining the present road mileage, and it is too early to forecast when this might most suitably be undertaken.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to ensure that the chairmen of new town development corporations do not have private business interests which are likely to conflict with their duties in furthering the economic development of the public corporations of which they are chairmen.

I do not consider that any action on my part is required. I am confident that no chairman will allow any private interest to affect the discharge of his public duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that members of children's panels, operating within the provisions of the Social Work (Scotland) Act, are reimbursed for loss of work entailed in serving on such panels.

Regulations have already been made to provide for the payment to members of children's panels of an allowance for loss of earnings in the performance of their duties at the same rate as that payable to members of local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland with whom he has had consultations about the proposals of the Crofters' Commission on owner-occupation of crofts; when he will complete his consultations; and if he will make a statement.

The organisations which were invited to give their views on the proposals are as shown in the list below. A series of detailed discussions has recently been held with the Crofters Commission, but I cannot yet say when my consultations will be completed.Following is the list of organisations consulted:

asked the Lord Advocate if he will prosecute the persons concerned with the bringing of drugs, such as amphetamine, from London to Edinburgh, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for West Lothian.

No such details have been received from the hon. Member. When I receive this information I will instruct investigations to be made, and any question of a prosecution will be considered in the light of the results of those investigations.

asked the Lord Advocate how many civil servants employed in his Department are in receipt of salaries in excess of his own Ministerial salary.

One.

asked the Lord Advocate why the courts of inquiry into the Fraserburgh lifeboat disaster and Edinburgh Royal Infirmary were conducted in Scotland under English procedures.

The Fraserburgh lifeboat disaster occurred outwith territorial waters, and, therefore, the procedure under the Fatal Accidents Inquiry (Scotland) Act, 1895, which extends to deaths in Scotland only, could not competently be invoked. The court of inquiry which was held in Aberdeen was in accordance with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, Part VI, under which the Board of Trade may in the United Kingdom direct a formal investigation into a shipping casualty of a British vessel.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what particular steps he is taking in furtherance of Her Majesty's Government's policy of continuation of the trend towards greater openness in Government business.

Departments are well aware of the policy of continuing the trend towards greater openness in Government business. In addition, the Government welcome the proposed strengthening of the Parliamentary Committee system for scrutinising different aspects of public expenditure.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service to what extent ex-civil servants are allowed after resigning or dismissal from their Government appointments to publish in the national Press their memoirs and other details of a confidential and secret nature other than those covered by the Official Secrets Act; and under what regulations they are permitted or barred from selling such articles to the Press or publishing same in a book or books.

There is a well-established convention that ex-civil servants wishing to publish anything based on their official experience seek the approval of their former Department.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will publish in HANSARD details giving the grade and salary scale of any full-time Civil Service shorthand typist on 1st October, 1964, and at the latest stated date.

Yes.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many Parliamentary draftsmen were employed in 1961; how many are employed today; whether he is satisfied that there are enough for the task; and if he will make a statement.

The number employed on the work of the Parliamentary Counsel Office and the Lord Advocate's Department in 1961 was 22; those now employed on corresponding work can be variously estimated (according to the basis of comparison) as from 28 to 31; and there are vacancies to be filled in both departments. These numbers are perhaps enough for present requirements; but an increased rate of law reform and consolidation would call for an increase, but only if recruits of the right calibre and aptitude can be found.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service (1) when he expects to complete his review of the dispersal of Government Departments; and if he will make a statement;(2) if, in order to assist the growth of the new town and the creation of a better balanced working population, he will allocate to the Skelmersdale New Town a major Government Department.

On the dispersal review, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for King's Lynn (Mr. Brockle-bank-Fowler) on 3rd February. Skelmersdale New Town will be considered as a possible location for dispersed Government work, along with other locations in development and intermediate areas and other new towns. But I cannot give undertakings about particular places at this stage.—[Vol. 810, c. 375.]

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether it is his intention to provide for the maintenance of the purchasing power of deferred pensions in the public sector in forthcoming legislation.

Yes. The Bill promised in my statement of 17th November will follow the Pensions (Increase) Acts in this respect.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT as full and detailed a list as may be readily available giving the amount of Treasury subsidy paid to the canteen and catering facilities of the various Ministerial Departments for each of the years from 1964 to date.

The main assistance to canteens in Departments is given by providing accommodation, standard equipment and fuel. No cash figure could be placed on the value of such assistance without a great deal of time and effort.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service which Government Departments in London provide canteen facilities for departmental staff; what is the price charged for a standard lunch; whether the canteens are run at a profit or a loss; and what is the annual subsidy, covering how many meals, in each Department.

Nearly all staff in London have access to canteen facilities either in their own Department or nearby. A recent survey of prices charged in London canteens showed that a meal consisting of a joint and two vegetables plus sweet cost an average of 28p.As regards subsidies, and profitability, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) today.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many civil servants are now employed by Her Majesty's Government compared with the number employed on 31st May, 1970.

499,690 at 1st January, 1971 (the latest available date), compared with 494,980 at 1st June, 1970.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will make a statement on his recent decision regarding the offer of an 8 per cent. pay award to civil servants; on what basis this offer was made; to what extent it was related to the increase granted to the higher paid civil servants; and, as this offer has been refused by the trade unions concerned, if he will refer the dispute to the same committee as investigated and reported on a cumulative 62·2 per cent. increase to the higher paid civil servants, judges and chairmen of nationalised boards.

The 8 per cent. increase in present pay rates offered to certain non-industrial civil servants from 1st January, 1971, is an interim increase between substantive settlements. The claim has now been referred, in accordance with the agreed procedures, to the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal. These staff last received an increase from 1st January, 1970, while the previous increases for the chairmen of nationalised industry boards and the higher Civil Service were given in 1964 and 1965 respectively.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what proposals he has for reducing the selling price of Concorde to airlines.

It is for the manufacturers to keep production costs as low as possible in order to be able to offer an attractive price.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what discussions he has had or intends having with the United States Government concerning their proposed legislation to ban the landing in New York of the Concorde; and what estimate he has made of the effect of this legislation on the development of the Concorde.

The proposed legislation on aircraft noise levels being considered by the New York State Assembly would affect all aircraft operating at New York airports. The effect on Concorde would depend upon whether this legislation becomes law, and upon its precise terms. The United States Government is kept fully informed of our views on noise regulations.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what was the total amount of Government financial assistance for launching, research and development provided for the VC10, Trident 2 and 3 and BAC 1–11.

The agreed Government contributions to the launching costs were: VC10 and Super VC10, £10·25 million; Trident 2E, £1·875 million; Trident 3B, £15·447 million; and BAC 1–11 series of aircraft, £18·75 million.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what assurances he gave to the United States Government about the future of the RB211 Rolls-Royce engine.

None.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what studies have been made of the possible use of the RB211 turbofan engine as power plant in industrial generating sets, marine application as power for turbine ships, or for possible use in propulsion for a space shuttle.

Rolls-Royce have completed a Ministry of Defence feasibility study contract for the application of RB211 to marine propulsion; further work under a contract for a design definition study, is in progress. Applications to industrial power generation will depend largely on the success of the marine work, but if the costs are right the RB211 has advantages of efficiency and quietness which commend it. It is unlikely to be used for space shuttle propulsion.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply if the Government will instruct the assessors appointed to investigate and report on the future prospects of the Rolls-Royce RB211 engine to take evidence, not only from top management, but also from design engineers, technical staff and the trade union joint committee.

The report, which has already been submitted, was required in a very tight timescale. It was therefore necessary to leave the assessors free to make their own judgment as to the data they required.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what terms of reference have been given by the Government to the three assessors appointed to investigate and report on the future prospects of the RB211 Rolls-Royce engine.

To reassess the cost and timescale of the development and production of the RB211, and the funds required.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what steps the Government propose to take to preserve the pensions rights and redundancy pay under the firm's arrangements of workers in Rolls-Royce.

Arrangements for occupational pensions and redundancy payments for Rolls-Royce Ltd. employees are in the first instance a matter for Rolls-Royce Ltd. under the authority of the Receiver and Manager. However the Memorandum and Articles of Association of Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. provide for the transfer of rights in existing pension schemes of Rolls-Royce Ltd. in relation to employees of the new company.

asked the Minister for Aviation Supply why he did not announce the appointment of assessors to go into matters pertaining to the Rolls-Royce collapse to the House of Commons; and whether in future he will make such statements first to the House of commons.

I avail myself of a number of sources of advice; and it would not be appropriate to inform the House on each occasion.

asked the Minister for Aviation Supply whether he will give an assurance that compensation or payments on takeover of Rolls-Royce shares by Her Majesty's Government will not exceed the stock exchange quoted price at the date of the announcement of the Rolls-Royce collapse.

The Government will be acquiring certain assets of Rolls-Royce Ltd. We are not purchasing the shares of that company.

asked the Minister for Aviation Supply whether, during his investigation into matters pertaining to the collapse of Rolls-Royce, he will take steps to ascertain how and why the Chairman in July, 1970, gave a favourable report to the company's shareholders and increased his salary by £9,000 per annum to £39,616 per annum.

I think questions of this nature are best left to the inquiry that will be undertaken by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what approaches have been made to him concerning the possible contribution from public funds towards the financing of the construction of a deep-water ore terminal at Hunterston; and if he will make a statement.

No application has yet been received for an authorisation under Section 9 of the Harbours Act, 1964, for harbour development at Hunterston. Following such an authorisation, the Clyde Port Authority would be able to apply for a loan under Section 11 of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from local authorities in Fife regarding the refusal of the Scottish Bus Group to implement a concessionary fare scheme in accordance with paragraph 6 of the Ministry of Transport circular dated 19th March, 1970; and what replies he has sent.

We have received representations only from the Royal Burgh of Kirkcaldy. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment having regard to the thick coat of viscous grease and dirt permeating the status of the late Sir Winston Churchill, in the Members' Lobby of the House of Commons, whether he will give immediate instructions for cleaning the statue and further instructions to maintain the statue in a condition appropriate to the late right hon. Gentleman's eminence and historical importance.

The sculptor has recently been treating the statue to improve its finish. Now that he has virtually completed the treatment, I think the condition of the statue will be found to be satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken, or intends taking, to ensure the maintenance of Big Ben, in view of the difficulties now being experienced by the firm engaged to carry out maintenance work; and whether he will make a statement.

I hope shortly to arrange a contract with a new firm which will ensure that Big Ben is maintained to the same high standard as in the past. I am sorry that the firm who made the clock and who have looked after it for well over a century are having to give up the task and I take this opportunity to pay tribute to their splendid and devoted work on Big Ben over all these years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he can now assess the likely consequence on rents in local authority accommodation in London, and in particular in Hackney, of the reduction of the housing subsidies.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. William Hamilton) on 17th February.—[Vol. 811, c. 440.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) in how

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of those persons currently serving on rent assessment panels in inner London and outer London, respectively.

There is one rent assessment panel for the Greater London area. The names of persons currently serving are as follows:LONDON R.A.P.

Information is available for 1963 and subsequent years as follows:

• R. N. Carvalho, B.C.L. (Oxon).
• Mrs. S. Denman, LL.B. (Lond.).
• H. G. Dodd, F.C.I.S.
• G. A. Dodsworth.
• C. J. Ettinger, M.Sc. (Econ.).
• Sir Donald Falshaw.
• R. N. Fisher-Evans, J.P.
• W. Fitzgerald.
• J. T. Huddart.
• A. B. V. Hughes.
• W. L. Ives, O.B.E., LL.B.
• I. Jackson.
• F. M. Landau, LL.B. (Lond.).
• H. J. Randall Lane, C.B.E.
• S. H. Levine. C.B.E.
• E. Mayer, M.A.
• P. J. McEnery.
• W. B. Murgatroyd
• P. C. R. Noble, O.B.E., LL.B.
• Mrs. J. R. Phillips, J.P., LL.B.
• R. W. Quayle, O.B.E.
• N. Rothman.
• A. E. Samuels. J.P., LL.B.
• P. C. Sneath, T.D.
• J. Meyler-Symmons.
• C. F. Thatcher, LL.B.
• M. W. Wadsworth.
• C. F. Wegg-Prosser.
• N. E. Wiggins. M.A., LL.B.
• H. Wilson Wiley, M.A. (Oxon.).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many building workers were employed by the direct labour departments of local authorities for each of the last 10 years; and how many in each year were engaged upon new construction work.