asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how the number of jobs in prospect in Wales now compares with the number in June, 1970; and what representations he has received about employment prospects in Wales;(2) what consultations he has had about future employment prospects in Wales.

26,600 compared with 30,900. In the representations and consultations which I have had there has been emphasis on the need to check the decline in employment which occurred during the term of office of the previous Administration and to reduce the high rate of unemployment which prevailed in Wales in this period.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the number of housing starts in Wales during the past six months; and how this compares with starts in the previous six months.

7.086 in the period July to December, 1970, compared with 6,659 in the previous six months.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of houses started for the three months October to December, 1970, inclusive, in Wales; and what were the comparable figures for the previous three months.

3,723 compared with 3,363.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the total number of dwellings constructed for letting by local authorities, for occupation by private purchasers, and by housing associations, respectively, since 1945, in each of the areas of housing authorities in Glamorgan including the City of Cardiff.

The following are the figures:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many road workers have been, or are likely to be, declared redundant in Wales as a result of changes in the Winter Roads Scheme;(2) how many road workers have been or are likely to be declared redundant in each county in Wales as a result of changes in the Winter Roads Scheme.

This information is not available, but since expenditure on local authority roads in Wales in 1970–71 is expected to be substantially higher than in 1969–70 which included a special winter programme, it is unlikely that the absence of a programme this winter will have had significant effects.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many of his staff are engaged in economic planning in Wales.

22 staff full-time together with 10 others who spend varying but substantial proportions of their time on economic planning work.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) in view of the growth of population, including that of Cwmbran New Town, that is served by the Royal Gwent Hospital, and the fact that there has only been an increase of 11 beds since 1939 in the general medical and general surgical departments, whether he will give authority for Scheme V of the development of the hospital to commence immediately upon completion of Scheme IV of the programme in 1972;(2) whether, in view of the danger to the general health of the staff as a consequence of the overcrowding of the pathology department of the Royal Gwent Hospital and the fire hazards that flow from the present conditions, he will alleviate the position by giving authority for Scheme V of the development of this hospital to be brought forward to commence immediately upon completion of Scheme IV of the programme in 1972.

The Newport and East Monmouthshire H.M.C. has already taken steps to reduce overcrowding and fire hazards in the pathology department and with the Welsh Hospital Board is considering what further action to take. It is not possible to predict the exact date on which Phase V will commence but the Welsh Hospital Board is fully aware of the case for speedy redevelopment.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to meet the Council for Wales.

At its next meeting on 19th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has in mind for industrial development in north Monmouthshire.

The Government will continue to do all they can to attract new industries to the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will establish a specialist research unit to examine the incidence of atmospheric pollution in Wales.

No. The specialised services of the Government's Warren Spring Laboratory and the Alkali Inspectorate are already available for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what hospitals in Wales he has visited since 1st January, 1971.

None, but the Minister of State, who under my over-all direction has a special responsibility for hospitals in Wales, has paid four official visits during the period in question.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will list the Welsh local authority deputations that he has received in London and in Cardiff, respectively, since 1st January, 1971.

I met a deputation from the Glamorgan County Council in Cardiff on 5th February and one from the Swansea County Borough Council in London on 23rd February.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he will take to lessen the consequences of pollution by sewage and by industrial effluent and waste along the South Wales coast of the Bristol Channel; and if he will make a statement.

Local authorities have the statutory responsibility to deal with pollution. A number of major improvement schemes are under way or planned in this area. The whole question of control over discharges into coastal waters is under review following the Reports of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution and the Working Party on Sewage Disposal.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he will take to ensure the provision in Welsh hospitals of alternative supplies of electricity in case the normal supplies should be discontinued, interrupted or affected by technical faults from time to time.

Most hospitals in Wales have their own standby generators. General guidance has been given to the Welsh Hospital Board and I will continue to assist it in every practicable way with its contingency planning.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will consult with the five North Wales countries on whether there should be one or two county authorities in North Wales.

All local authorities have been invited to comment on my proposals for local government reform.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the effect of the Rolls-Royce situation on Derbyshire, he will consider rezoning the area for development of new industry.

It is too early to say what redundancies there may be, where they will occur, or what the effect may be on particular areas. We are watching the position closely.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will refer the manufacture of mercury cell batteries for hearing aids and hospital communicating systems to the Monopolies Commission.

I will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind, along with other industries which satisfy the statutory criteria for reference to the Monopolies Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many motor cars made in Italy, Germany and France were imported into the United Kingdom in 1960, 1965 and 1970.

56,000, 37,000 and 112,000 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he intends to take to prevent the creation of a large special development area in Central West Scotland from affecting the ability of other parts of the country to attract new industry.

The new special development areas have been created to assist them secure a larger amount of mobile industry. Substantial assistance to industry is still available, however, in other parts of the assisted areas which should enable them to attract new projects and encourage the expansion of existing industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make an official visit to the Scottish coalfield.

My right hon. Friend and I have at present no plans to do so, but we shall hope to see something of the coal industry when visiting Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what answer he has given to requests to give additional assistance to the paper industry.

I have received no such requests, but as my hon. Friend indicated in his reply to the hon. Member for Rutherglen (Mr. Gregor Mackenzie) on 15th February, he is prepared to discuss the situation if the industry considers it useful.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration is being given by his Department to the use of phormium tenax or New Zealand flax as a replacement for manila pulp in paper-making; and whether he will make a statement.

The present usage of manila pulp is very small. A project for developing the use of phormium tenax for pulp manufacture has, however, been put to the Department, and we are considering what advice should be given.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries for sites for light industry were referred by his Department to locations in Dorset during 1970.

None. Firms able to move are encouraged to consider sites in development and intermediate areas. 35 industrial development certificates for a total of 776,000 sq. ft. were however issued in Dorset, mostly to local firms, in 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on advance factories in Sunderland at present not allocated.

Two factories are available, one of 25,000 sq. ft. and one of 15,000 sq. ft. Two are under construction, of 15,000 sq. ft. and 10,000 sq. ft. Interest is being shown in the 25,000 sq. ft. factory. Sunderland is now a Special Development Area and this should help us to find suitable occupants.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the area of industrial building in Sunderland for which industrial development certificates were issued in 1970.

Industrial development certificates for 122,000 square feet were issued in the Sunderland Employment Exchange area in 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent general directions he has given to the Electricity Council and the electricity boards in respect to electricity prices.

None, but there was close consultation between my right hon. Friend and the Electricity Council and full agreement on the need to keep the price increases to the absolute minimum.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what means he used to inform the East Midlands Electricity Board of the Government's wish to limit any increase in the domestic tariff for electricity to 12 per cent., and what effect he expects the authorities to have on the commercial and industrial tariffs for the area and the competitiveness of industry in the East Midlands;(2) whether he will publish the full details of the advice he gave to the East Midlands Electricity Board about the relationship between domestic tariffs and industrial and commercial tariffs to be charged by the Board.

There is continuing consultation between the Government and the Electricity Council on prices as on all major issues and the East Midlands Electricity Board, which consulted the council on proposed tariff changes in the normal way, fixed its new tariffs in the knowledge of the Government's view that in present circumstances domestic price increases should be kept to the minimum.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is now in a position to announce his plans for the future structure of the British Steel Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the British Steel Corporation on the subject of his policy of disposal of Government-owned assets; what parts of the British Steel Corporation have been considered in this respect; and if he will make a statement.

No. I have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang) and the right hon. Member for Kettering (Sir G. de Freitas) on 8th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a general direction to the British Steel Corporation to publish quarterly reports.

No, Sir. The B.S.C. already publishes a half-yearly statement of its financial results. I am asking the Chairman to write to my hon. Friend about quarterly reports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will issue a general direction to prevent the British Airports Authority from making further price rises on duty-free goods.

No. Even if this subject were appropriate to a general direction it would not be in the national interest to restrict the authority's export earnings.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why imports of Romanian oil into the United Kingdom are not allowed.

The situation has not changed since my hon. Friend drew attention to the matter in March, 1969; the question of imports of Romanian oil cannot be separated from an acceptable settlement of outstanding British claims against the Romanian Government including claims by oil companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the estimate of redundancies among staff at Turnhouse Airport in the course of the next two years; and what consultations there have been with the appropriate trade unions on the matter.

The transfer of Turnhouse Airport to the British Airports Authority will result in about 10 staff being redun- dant. The staff associations have been consulted.The aerodrome navigation services will continue to be provided by the National Air Traffic Control Services and no redundancies in this area are envisaged.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in carrying out his policy for the location of industry, he will bear in mind the existence of derelict factories in London that have been closed for a number of years; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. Vacant factories can be occupied and in some cases renovated without the need for an industrial development certificate. The control over industrial development certificates is operated strictly in London and certificates are not available for the speculative redevelopment of vacant factories. I would however be prepared to consider applications for redevelopment of such factories from firms planned out of their premises in London or from other suitable London firms with very strong ties to the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the effects on industry in Wales of the Government's proposals of 27th October, 1970; and what were the unemployment totals, in Wales, on 27th October, 1970 and on 16th February, 1971.

It will be some time before a meaningful assessment can be made of the effects, but I am confident that our new proposals will encourage the development of competitive and profitable industry both in Wales and elsewhere. Figures of unemployment are not available for the dates requested. The total number registered as unemployed was 39,200 on 12th October and 43,000—provisional figure—on 8th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will list the questions asked to determine where traffic, both passenger and freight, at present passing through the London airports originates.

No such questions are currently being asked.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) why South Durham and Teesside were not included in those parts of the Northern Region recently designated as special development areas;(2) why Newton Aycliffe New Town was not included in those parts of the Northern Region recently designated as special development areas.

The problems of these areas are not as acute as those of the special development areas in the Northern Region. They continue to enjoy, however, the substaniatl incentives available in the development areas to attract new projects and to encourage the expansion of existing industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what will be the total annual cost to the Government resulting from the extension of special development area status to additional parts of the Northern Region.

As stated in reply to the hon. Member's Questions earlier today, expenditure on assistance in individual areas cannot be reliably estimated.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further steps he intends to take to encourage industrialists to apply for industrial development certificates in the Northern Region.

The Government's economic and industrial policies are designed to put the economy on a sounder basis, thus encouraging development in the Northern Region and elsewhere. The Department will continue to bring to the attention of firms the advantages of locating and expanding in the Northern Region.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what criteria the parts of the Northern Region, recently designated as special development areas, were chosen.

The same factors as were indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for South Ayrshire(Mr. Sillars) on 22nd February.—[Vol.812, c. 31.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the particular factors that determined his exclusion of the towns of Kilbirnie, Beith and Troon from his selection of areas in West Central Scotland meriting special development area status.

Kilbirnie, Beith and Troon enjoy the substantial benefits available in development areas. They do not suffer from the heavy and persistent unemployment which is characteristic of the new Special Development Areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has reached a decision on the future of Harland and Wolff; what steps he intends to take to secure the future viability of this shipbuilding yard and to protect monies lent by Her Majesty's Government for the purpose of extending and improving the construction facilities available on the Queen's Island in Belfast; and if he will make a statement.

The Government wish to see a viable shipbuilding industry in Belfast with an associated high level of employment and are considering how this might best be achieved. The proper protection of public loans to Harland and Wolff is being borne in mind. We hope to be in a position to make a statement in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is the reason for the delay in announcing his decision about the future of Harland and Wolff Limited;(2) how much State aid and loans from the Shipbuilding Industry Board have been given to Harland and Wolff Limited; and whether, in considering his proposals for the future of the company, in addition to the proposals from other interests, he has considered the possibility of nationalisation of the shipyard in order to safeguard the jobs of the employees.

Harland and Wolff has received from the Shipbuilding Industry Board £8 million in loans and £6,762,578 in grants including grants in relief of loan interest under Section 5 of the Shipbuilding Industry Act.The Government wish to see a viable shipbuilding industry in Belfast with an associated high level of employment, and are considering how this might best be achieved. Complex problems are involved which require careful study, but we hope to be in a position to make a statement in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reduction in the manual work force, at present employed in the electricity supply industry is now proposed following the Wilberforce Report.

This is a matter for the Electricity Council. I will ask the Chairman to write to the hon. Member when the discussions of the report now taking place in the industry's National Joint Industrial Council have been concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in his consideration of the Roskill Commission's Report, he has satisfied himself that all the members of the Commission on the Third London Airport inspected on the ground the villages on the Cublington site.

The Commission's Report (paragraphs 4.30, 13.52 and 13.53) states that all the relevant sites were visited by at least some members of the Commission both by road and by helicopter.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates have been issued for the area in Durham County west of the Al; and how many jobs provided in each quarter from January, 1963, to December, 1970.

The information asked for is shown in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received a report from the South Eastern Gas Board about the escape of a quantity of gas at high pressure following an accident at its St. Mary Cray depot on 1st February this year; whether he is aware that the escape of the gas into the surrounding residential and industrial area continued for over an hour until made safe by an engineer sent from Croydon; and whether he proposes to make regulations under Section 67(1) of the Gas Act, 1948, to avoid possible danger to local residents in the event of a recurrence.

Such regulations would not be appropriate for this type of accident. I am asking the chairman of the area board to explain the circumstances of the accident to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the amount of grant given to the Industrial Liaison Scheme for 1969–70 and the amount proposed for 1970–71 and 1971–72; and what approximately is the amount of the benefits which industry has received during the same period.

The amount for 1969–70 was £209,000; the amounts estimated for 1970–71 and 1971–72 are £250,000 and £270,000 respectively. In a written answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Carter) on 16th December, 1970, I said that no calculation of the overall benefit to industry of the industrial liaison centres had been made by the Department. This applies to each of the three years specified.—[Vol.808, c. 367.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to announce the name of the new chairman of the National Coal Board.

We shall be making an announcement about this appointment in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the difference between the cost per ton of coal imported by the Central Electricity Generating Board and the cost paid by the Central Electricity Generating Board for British coal.

The prices it pays for its fuels, from whatever sources, are a commercial matter for the C.E.G.B.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total tonnage of coal imported into Great Britain since December, 1970.

Figures are given on page 25 of Table III of the Overseas Trade Statistics for January, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many advanced gas-cooled reactors have been sold abroad; and what have been the other benefits of the advanced gas-cooled reactors development programme in terms of overseas business.

No reactors of this type have been sold abroad to date. Licences for the system have, however, been taken out by German and Japanese firms, and development of A.G.R. technology has been instrumental in securing overseas business in oxide fuel manufacture, reprocessing and ancillary equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now authorise the provision of advance factories in the newly created special development areas.

There are a number of advance factories available in the new special development areas, and others are under construction. It would be preferable to see more progress in disposing of these before we undertake further building.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to announce the allocation of two further advance factories on the Houghton-le-Spring Trade Estate under the rolling programme.

I will consider further advance factories in the Houghton-le-Spring area when suitable occupiers have been found for those available or authorised.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from Newcastle City Council in respect of smokeless fuel supplies in Newcastle-upon-Tyne; what is the current shortage; and what action he has taken to remedy this situation.

None. The provision of solid smokeless fuels in a particular area is a matter on which I hope local authorities will maintain close consultation with the trade. So far as the supply generally of solid smokeless fuels is concerned, I have nothing to add to my hon. Friend's reply of 8th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker).

asked the Secretary of State for Tade and Industry if he will give the figures for the last 10 years of people certified to be suffering from pneumoconiosis in the Yorkshire coalfield; and what percentages those figures represent of the total men employed in that coalfield.

The first column shows the number of employees and former employees of the coal industry in the North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Doncaster and Barnsley areas of the National Coal Board who were certified under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Acts in each year; the second column shows these numbers as percentages of the total numbers of National Coal Board employees in the coal mining industry in these areas at 30th September in each year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if application has been made under the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act, 1969, in respect of semi-conductors and micros-circuits.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about the need for a major international airport in the Midlands of England.

The future development of international airports in the Midlands will be considered in the light of the decision on the site and timing of the third London airport.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of jobs lost to Wales as a consequence of firms abandoning or postponing industrial developments which they had been proposing prior to 18th June, 1970.

By no means all firms notify the Department of modifications to their plans and no meaningful estimate can be made of jobs gained or lost as a result of changes in intention since any given date.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what additional annual expenditure will be involved in the 10 per cent. increase in operational grants announced recently for special development areas;(2) what estimate he has made of expenditure involved in the promotion of employment in the Northern Region for the years 1971 to 1975.

Expenditure will depend on the response of industry, which cannot be reliably predicted in relation to individual incentives or areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will extend special development area status to rural areas which suffer from depopulation and which find it difficult to provide a variety of employment for persons living therein.

No. Substantial incentives for the provision of employment are available in rural areas included in the assisted areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what routes he will approve for British European Airways for the Highlands and Islands when the present Viscount aircraft are phased out.

This will be a matter for the Air Transport Licensing Board or its successor, when the time comes. I am aware of no immediate proposal to phase out the Viscount on these routes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the estimated value of Commonwealth preferences to South Africa and the reciprocal advantages to the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available.

The latest figures for individual countries are for 1961 (U.K. exports) and 1962 (U.K. imports); they were published in the Board of Trade Journal of 11th June, 1965, and 31st December, 1965, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the balance of payments and the balance of trade between South Africa and the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and what are the comparable figures for the other States in Africa.

The information required is not available; in particular, the difference between figures of imports c.i.f. and exports f.o.b. is not a good measure of the visible trade balance because, inter alia, of the difference in the bases of valuation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking designed to ensure that the modern mill in Bootle, soon to be closed down by the merger of Silcocks and Lever Foods Limited and British Oil and Cake Mill, is not left unutilised.

I am not aware that there is any current proposal to close this mill.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the comparison between the level of British imports and exports of the Portuguese African colonies, Rhodesia and South Africa and those of the rest of Africa.

Following is the information for the year 1970:—

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now make a statement on the first month's operation of the Mediator part of the Linesman/Mediator project.

The organisation has demonstrated that it is soundly based. Initial teething troubles with new sub-systems have caused some delays to aircraft but the situation is improving.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what difficulties have been encountered by pilots and air traffic controllers through using numbers for aircraft registration instead of letters on the computer system of Linesman/Mediator.

No serious difficulties have been experienced by air traffic controllers. Pilots are unaffected.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further consideration has been given to the need for an ocean platform for secondary surveillance radar coverage of the South-Western approaches in connection with Linesman Mediator.

None. The cover to be provided by the planned secondary surveillance radar installation in the Isles of Scilly is considered to be adequate to meet the Mediator requirement in the south western approaches.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what further progress has been made in research into collision-avoidance systems in conjunction with Linesman/Mediator;(2) what further research is planned into collision avoidance systems to complement the operation of Linesman/Mediator.

Research into collision avoidance systems is independent of the Mediator programme and is a matter for my hon. Friend the Minister for Aviation Supply.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration has been given to the introduction of navigational user charges in connection with the operation of Linesman/Mediator.

Navigational user charges will take into account the costs of all relevant navigational services, including those provided and operated under the Mediator air traffic control programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies in the prediction of future air traffic controller workbeds have been undertaken in connection with the Linesman/Mediator project.

Forecast figures of air traffic are used as part of the basic assessment of future work loads. The workloads expected from particular tasks are studied during simulations of procedures and systems at the Air Traffic Control Evaluation Unit, Hurn.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent a reduced dependence on primary radar is planned to coincide with the introduction of future stages of the Linesman/Mediator project.

Primary radar will continue to be a valuable source of information on aircraft positions for the foreseeable future. As more aircraft become equipped with the latest transponders and as interrogation methods are developed further, primary radar will be supplemented by secondary radar to an extent where the latter may eventually become the main source of information in certain parts of the airspace.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent it is planned that future satellite communication will augment the capabilities of the Linesman/Mediator project.

Future satellite communication systems are being planned to be totally compatible with existing and planned air traffic control services. Initial applications are unlikely to be needed for Mediator.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now take steps to give financial inducements to airlines for the use of area navigation systems, in order to complement the potential of the Linesman/Mediator project.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many very high frequency omni-directional radio range navigation installations are at present in commission in Great Britain; how many have associated distance measuring equipment; and what effect will the introduction of Linesman/Mediator have on these numbers.

There are 36 very high frequency omni-directional radio ranges (VOR) in operation in Great Britain (plus one each in Northern Ireland, Alderney and the Isle of Man). Of these, 22 have associated distance measuring equipment (DME). Eight additional VORs and 12 DMEs are under consideration or in process of installation. The requirements future operations of the Mediator system are taken into account when VOR/DMEs are planned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what consultations he has held with the smaller airport authorities in conjunction with the introduction of the Linesman/ Mediator project;(2) what consultations have been held with light aircraft interests in conjunction with the introduction of Linesman/ Mediator.

The aircraft user and aerodrome authorities have not been consulted independently about Mediator but in June, 1969, a presentation on the system was made to the Civil Aviation Control Advisory Committee, which includes representatives of light aircraft and aerodrome owners organisations. This was followed by discussion. They were also of course informed in advance of the introduction of Stage 1 on 1st February.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies have now been made of the recommendations of the Roskill Commission in connection with the installation of the Linesman/Mediator project.

As indicated in the Report of the Roskill Commission, the site it finally recommended has already been studied by the National Air Traffic Control Service, as have the three other sites on the Commission's final list.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions have taken place with the Eurocontrol centre about the introduction of Linesman/Mediator; and what has been their outcome.

The upper air space aspects of the Mediator air traffic control system have been discussed with Eurocontrol during the formative stages. Plans for particular parts of the upper air space are discussed in detail as they arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research has been undertaken into constant-addressable computer memories in connection with the introduction and future operations of Linesman/Mediator.

None so far as the Department is concerned.

asked the secretary of state for Trade and Industry what further local area control schemes he will seek to establish in connection with the operation of Linesman/ Mediator.

No additional local area control schemes are planned in connection with the Mediator air traffic control system as such. The need for controlled or special rules airspace is a matter for continuous review and schemes for these are introduced as they are found to be necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what emergency power supply arrangements exist for the Linesman/Mediator project.

The West Drayton complex has its own power station. It also takes power from the national system and could run on this supply alone if necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the function of the Euclid system in the Linesman/Mediator project.

The Euclid system is part of the equipment at the Air Traffic Control Evaluation Unit, Hurn, where arrangements and procedures, including those for Mediator, are tested before being adopted operationally.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the function of the Apollo Group in the installation of the Linesman/ Mediator project.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what date is stage 2 of the Linesman/Mediator project scheduled for completed installation and operation.

Mediator is an evolutionary project, consisting of a number of steps. Evaluation of each step is an essential part of the process and the timing of Mediator 2 will depend on the experience gained in the evaluation and operation of earlier stages.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what use is being made of the Ferranti Hermes computer in the simulation of aircraft responses as part of the training of controllers for the Linesman /Mediator project.

The Ferranti Hermes computer is used at the Air Traffic Control Evaluation Unit, Hurn, to provide synthetic aircraft responses on radar displays. Training for Mediator is among the tasks for which it has been employed.

asked the secretary of state for Trade and Industry what level of provision for collision risk and loss will be assumed in the operation of the Linesman/Mediator project.

The Mediator air traffic control pogramm will continue to operate to separation standards agreed internationally to maintain safety levels by reducing collision risk. Attention is paid to area where study of previous systems shows developments to be desirable with the object maintaining and is possible, improving on previous safely levels in the face of rising traffic pressures.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent will air-ground data links in the Linesman/Mediator project reduce voice communications.

The only form of data link at present internationally agreed for civil use is secondary surveillance radar. This system is being used extensively in Mediator for the automatic reporting of aircraft identity and flight levels. This should lead in time to a significant reduction in voice communication.

asked the secretary of State for Trade and Industry what revision of aircraft route structures and procedures have been undertaken in preparation for the Linesman/Mediator project; and whether he will make a statement.

Revisions to route structures and procedures are to those associated with the new holding points established at Biggin Hill and Ongar and with the general exploitation of improved facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what separation intervals for supersonic aircraft will operated by the Linesman/Mediator system.

When supersonic aircraft are flying in airspace controlled under the mediator system they will mostly be flying subsonically and will be given the separation intervals internationally agreed for subsonic aircraft. These vary according to such features as navigational facilities and radar cover.No separation values for supersonic flight have yet been agreed internationally. A meeting of the International Civil Organisation is expected to consider these before the aircraft comes into service.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what provision will be made for the more accurate checking of airborne pressure altimeters with the introduction of the Linesman/Mediator project.

The introduction of the Linesman/Meditor project has not led to any proposals for changes in the existing requirements for the checking of the accuracy of pressure altimeters.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the response rate of the Linesman/Mediator project will compare when completed with that of any comparable systems already installed and operated abroad.

If by "response rate" the hon. Member means the ability of the air traffic control system to respond to the traffic demand made upon it, then the Mediator system will compare more than favourably with systems already installed and operating abroad.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the original concept of the Linesman/Mediator project was based upon previous experience accumulated by foreign government projects, particularly in the United States of America; and whether he will make a statement.

During the formulation of the Mediator air traffic control concept there were, as is normal, two-way exchanges with other countries on related technical matters. Experience and practice in them, including the United States, was taken into account on a number of matters such as radar layout, the application of secondary surveillance radar and data exchange.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what instructions were given to his staff to prevent the hon. Member for Nuneaton joining in the Press visit to the Linesman/Mediator project on Thursday, 25th February;(2) on what grounds representatives of the Press were permitted to visit the Linesman/Mediator project before hon. Members of the House of Commons;(3) by what criteria were Press representatives selected for the visit to the Linesman/Mediator project on Thursday, 25th February; and what instructions were given about the sending out of invitations;(4) when a visit to the Linesman/Mediator project will be arranged for hon. Members of the House of Commons.

It is the normal practice of the Department to offer facilities to accredited representatives of the Press to see developments in our air traffic control system whenever a suitable occasion arises. Invitations to visit the Mediator project were accordingly sent to national newspapers and to the local and technical Press concerned. The selection of their representatives is, of course, a matter for them. An opportunity for hon. Members to make a visit in the near future is being arranged.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why it took more than one week before an attempt was made to give a detailed explanation of why the hon. Member for Nuneaton will not be permitted to participate in the Press visit to the Linesman/Mediator project on Thursday, 25th February.

The hon. Member may recall that I replied personally to his orginal request and explained why he could not be added to this Press visit. I was not aware that he required a further explanation but, if I had known that he did, I should have been glad to give it.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why a representative of the British Safety Council was not invited to the Linesman/Mediator project on 25th February, 1971.

This particular visit was specially arranged for the national newspapers and the local and technical Press concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the estimated cost of the original Linesman/Mediator project; and what is the present estimated cost of completing it.

Linesman as an air defence project is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, and I assume the hon. Member is referring to the Mediator Air Traffic Control programme, in which my right hon. Friend has an interest also. The original Mediator project forms part of an integrated defence/air traffic control system, and its costs are not readily available separately. The current estimate for the ultimate Mediator programme as presently conceived is of the order of £47·5 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the planned time failure rate of the computers in the Marconi contract as part of the Linesman/Mediator project.

The failure rate specified for the system of computers in the Marconi contract is for a failure exceeding 30 seconds duration not to occur more than once in five years.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements exist for co-ordination with the Ministry of Defence for the installation of the Linesman/Mediator project; and whether he will make a statement.

The Mediator management organisation provides for and maintains continuous contact between my Department and the Ministry of Defence over the installation of the Mediator air traffic control system.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration has been given to the export possibilities and sales of the Linesman/Mediator project as a whole; what consultations have been held with other Governments; and whether he will make a statement.

Many of the component electronic systems which comprise Mediator air traffic control system have been designed both to satisfy our needs and to be saleable elsewhere. As far as can be determined now, the manufacturers concerned have already secured orders of approximately £2 million for equipment available or competitive because of the Mediator contracts. The National Air Traffic Control Service is in regular consultation with foreign A.T.C. authorities on air traffic control processes and equipments and receives frequent visits from them on these topics.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has had about the Linesman/Mediator project from the British Air Line Pilots Association; and what reply he has sent.

Over the last few months there has been correspondence with the British Air Line Pilots Association on a number of features in Mediator and also one meeting at which the Department gave a full presentation on the system. The Association's most recent letter dealt mainly with the notification of flight level clearances to aircraft and proposed a meeting. The Department's reply described the clearance procedure used, and suggested a general system demonstration.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many air traffic controllers have been trained to operate the Linesman/ Mediator project; and what has been their basic training course.

Three hundred and twenty-one air traffic controllers at the London Air Traffic Control Centre have attended familiarisation and training courses on Mediator techniques and procedures at the Air Traffic Control Evaluation Unit, Hurn. Additional training was given at the London A.T.C. Centre.