asked the Lord President of the Council when he intends to replace the sub-standard cutlery in the Members' Cafeteria and Tea-Room and Strangers' Cafeteria with Sheffield-made cutlery of reasonable quality.

I have been asked to reply.We are in the process of bringing the cutlery up to standard. A number of quotations for Sheffield-made cutlery are currently being considered.

asked the Lord President of the Council what improvements he has made in the quality and variety of dishes served in Members' eating places in the House since 10th February.

I have been asked to reply.The Catering Committee are always seeking to improve the variety and quality of our food. Forthcoming attractions will include fresh salmon and cold chicken in the Members' tea room.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will instruct the Manager of the Catering Department to withdraw all cracked and/or chipped crockery and glassware from the Members' Tea Room.

I have been asked to reply.Yes.

asked the Lord President of the Council in what circumstances, and on whose authority, Members of Parliament are excluded from interviewing constituents within the precincts of the Palace of Westminster.

Under the regulations made by the Authorities of the two Houses, hon. Members may interview constituents within the precincts at any time during which the Palace of Westminster is open to Strangers. The Palace of Westminster is open only to Members on Sundays, Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

asked the Lord President of the Council what estimate he has made of the value of the current salary of a Member of Parliament in February, 1972, compared with October, 1964, on the basis of a 9 per cent. increase in the cost of living in the next 12 months.

I have not made any such estimate because I cannot accept the assumption which the hon. Member has made in regard to future price movements.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will grant permission to the Trades Union Congress for their film on the Industrial Relations Bill to be shown in the Grand Committee Room to all Members of Parliament and for Mr. Victor Feather to address Members on this Bill and the film.

It is not for me to grant permission for this. Any Member can go to the Serjeant at Arms' Office and book a Committee room for the showing of a film provided it has some political connection.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will make it a general rule that before the Government table Motions for the Second Reading of any Government Bill such Bills are printed and freely available to Members who may wish to take part in the Second Reading debate.

It is already the general rule.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply if he will seek powers as a matter of urgency to enable him to give direct Government financial assistance to sub-contractors who are unsecured creditors of Rolls-Royce Limited.

No.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply whether he will make a further statement on the financial position of subcontracting firms and component manufacturing companies for Rolls-Royce Limited.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to similar Questions earlier today.

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

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to similar Questions earlier today.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what is his estimate of the number of persons engaged full time in the manufacture of the Concorde; how many of these persons are engaged in development as distinct from production work; and if he will indicate the approximate geographical distribution of the persons concerned.

The equivalent of about 25,000 full-time persons are at present employed in a number of firms on the Concorde project, about 20,000 on development and 5,000 on production. The main centres of employment are Bristol (about 12,000), Weybridge (4,500), and Hum (1,000). There are smaller concentrations at Coventry and Fairford, and among the large number of subcontractors.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what advisers with special knowledge in the field of com- pany law are employed in his Department.

My Department, in common with most other Departments, relies upon the Treasury Solicitor for legal advice.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply when he expects to provide development funding for a new jet trainer for the Royal Air Force.

The process of evaluation is not yet complete and the question of funding should not arise until a decision has been made.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply if he will make a statement on the progress of development of the Rolls-Royce RB199 engine.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what technical assessment he is making of the RB199 engine.

Work on the first phase of the development programme for the multi-rôle combat aircraft is at present under way on a tripartite basis. This includes the development of the RB199 engine. Work on this engine is going ahead and has not been affected by the problems of Rolls-Royce Ltd.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what technical assessment he is making of the RB410 engine.

My right hon. Friend is considering its applications and development problems.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply how the overall launching, research, development and production costs of the Rolls-Royce RB211 project compare with those of the Pratt and Whitney JT9D and General Electric CF6; and whether he will make a statement.

I do not think it would be in the public interest, in the context of the current negotiations, to disclose such information as is available to me. The House will, however, appreciate that it is in any case difficult to draw proper comparisions in these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the Countryside Commission's reports on the planning of the coastline and the coastal heritage.

My right hon. Friend will make a statement as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he will take to ensure that the drivers of Post Office vans are not asked to work more than the 60 hours a week permitted by law.

I see no reason to take any action. The Post Office like any other employer, must keep within the law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to make compulsory the provision to him by local authorities of information concerning their implementation of concessionary fares schemes for the blind, disabled and elderly.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will require any purchaser of the business of Thomas Cook to safeguard the jobs of employees of that business;(2) what further consultations have now taken place between his Department and the trades unions representing employees of Thomas Cook; and whether he will make a statement.

As my right hon. Friend said in reply to the hon. Member for Leicester, North-East (Mr. Bradley) on 28th January, the unions will be fully consulted at all stages about the detailed arrangements, including the provision to be made for statutory compensation for those whose jobs might be directly affected by the sale. The arrangements are being worked out in conjunction with the Transport Holding Company. In the meantime, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association have undertaken to let us know what safeguards for the staff they would like to see included in the necessary legislation.—[Vol. 810, c. 809–15.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware of the improvement that has taken place in the accident rate on the Liverpool—Bootle stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal since 1967; and if he will issue further guidance to those concerned on effective methods of maintaining safety.

No child's life has been lost in this stretch of canal since 1965. The British Waterways Board and local authorities, as the responsible bodies concerned, continue to work closely together to maintain and improve safety measures. No guidance from me seems necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the fact that the Bootle and Liverpool stretch of the Liverpool and Leeds Canal is unused by commercial and industrial traffic, he will call for further reports from the Working Party on which he is represented with a view to considering the eventual closing or viaducting of this length of canal.

No. A study group set up by the British Waterways Board and the riparian local authorities is considering the future use of this length of canal: the Department are not represented.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make public funds available for roadworks to prevent the destruction of the centre of Beverley caused by the growing pressure of through traffic and the growing number of heavy lorries.

The by-pass now in preparation will take trunk traffic from A1079 out of Beverley. Meanwhile a number of grant-earning improvement schemes within Beverley itself have been completed and others are planned and in preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the opposition by local pepole to the proposed Shoreham-by-Sea Bridge scheme, he will issue a circular to local authorities planning major road and bridge developments advising them to ensure that areas of scenic beauty in rural and urban areas are preserved.

Both my right hon. Friend and the local planning authorities are under a duty, under Section 11 of the Countryside Act, 1968, to have regard to the desirability of conserving the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside.In the case mentioned, the council concerned consulted the Royal Fine Art Commission with regard to the design of the bridges. Planning Bulletin No. 1 on "Town Centres—Approach to Renewal" emphasised the need to retain and enhance the individual character of a town. I have under consideration the further guidance and services which my Department could make available to local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken to ensure the maximum use of colliery shale in the construction of the M18 on that stretch which is adjacent to Hatfield Colliery.

Tenders for this work were invited on the basis of a specification broadened to permit the use of colliery shale suitable for road building and I understand that the contractor intends to use substantial quantities of it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give details of the projects involved in the expenditure of £45 million on sewerage schemes and £4 million on water resources which he announced for the Northern Region on 19th February, 1971.

It could be misleading to give details of projects in this context. The figures are forecasts covering several years ahead of the level of capital expenditure likely to be achieved by the authorities responsible for these services, given the general expansion of activity in these fields and the implementation of projects, including major ones, some of which will not be submitted for authorisation until later in the period.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how much he proposes to invest in new sewerage schemes and extensions to existing works in the Northern Region in each year from 1971 to 1974;(2) which local authorities in the Northern Region will benefit from provision of new sewerage schemes, or extension of existing works, during the period 1971 to 1974;(3) how many sewerage schemes included in the 1971 to 1974 programme for the Northern Region were approved or planned before 18th June, 1970; where such schemes are located; and what is their capital value.

The forecast my right hon. Friend gave to the House on 19th February of investment in sewerage and sewage disposal schemes in the Northern Region allows for the expected substantial expansion of activity in these fields, including the implementation, subject to statutory approval, of several major schemes.The forecast shows the amount of investment which the Government have planned to make available for this purpose and which they expect to be taken up. It is not broken down in the degree of detail requested by the hon. Member, but in practice local authorities are under no restriction as to the schemes they may submit for approval.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will give approval to the Tyneside Sewage Disposal Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend will give his decision as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he is aware of any delays in completing the widening of the Rimrose Road Bridge in Bootle and Crosby; if he will consult with British Rail and other interested bodies with a view to an early completion of this road improvement; and if he will make a statement;(2) when the widening of the roads and bridges at Rimrose Road, Knowsley Road, Seaforth Road and Crosby Road junction in Bootle and Crosby will be completed.

Work started last autumn on the widening of Crosby Road South and Rimrose Road, north and south of Rimrose Road Bridge, and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Bootle C.B.C., as highway authority for the Rimrose Road scheme, plan to start the demolition of the bridge within three months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date the application for loan sanction for a sewerage and sewage disposal scheme for Tyneside was made; and what is the reason for the delay in making a decision.

The application for loan sanction was made in November, 1968. It could not be considered in advance of a planning application, and that was not made until May, 1969. My right hon. Friend hopes to give his decision shortly. My hon. Friend will then see from the report of the four-day local inquiry into both applications the difficult and complex issues involved, which account for the time taken in considering the applications.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the list of environmental development projects covered by his proposals for improving the environment of the Black Country included the provision of a community centre playing fields and open space in the Mesty Croft area of Wednesbury in West Bromwich.

No application has been received from the West Bromwich Corporation for loan sanction for such a scheme. Under the new arrangements it will fall to the local authority to decide about projects of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a schedule of the derelict land sites in West Bromwich which he proposes will be developed, and by what time scale, under his proposals for improving the environment of the Black Country.

It is for the county borough council to initiate proposals. My right hon. Friend has received no specific information from them about their future proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further progress he has made regarding the terms of financing the building of the Humber Bridge following his meeting with the Humber Bridge Board on 2nd February; and if he will make a statement.

The Board have told me their views, which I am considering.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details for the support roads that he is planning for the Humber Bridge on the north and south bank, respectively, with an approximate figure of the finance involved, and firm starting dates of the schemes proposed, where these have been finalised.

The immediate approach roads will form part of the proposed Humber Bridge scheme. The approach road on the north bank will link directly with the A63. Consideration of the road links between the bridge and the main road network on the south bank, and their cost, is included in the current study into South Humberside roads. Starting dates will be governed by the timing of the Bridge. Meanwhile a number of schemes to improve general road communications on North and South Humberside are programmed and in preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he intends to take to advise do-it-yourself repair motorists upon the best methods of disposing of oil drained from car sumps.

I am considering whether I can usefully issue advice on this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he intends to take to advise housewives of the best method of avoiding pollution when disposing of unwanted poisons.

I have no evidence that housewives need specific advice from me on this matter. Small quantities of many poisons used in the household, including those in medicinal use, can safely be flushed down a W.C. in cases where they will be diluted to infinitesimal concentrations in the sewage effluent of the district. Housewives wanting advice on particular problems of disposal can, of course, consult the public health inspector of their local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he intends to take to advise gardeners of the best means of disposing of surplus quantities of pesticide.

I have no evidence that gardeners need specific advice from me on this matter. Where pesticides have been approved for use on land, appropriate quantities can be disposed of in the same way. Gardeners with larger problems of disposal can, of course, consult the public health inspector of their local authority, who will be aware of the advice on this subject which is given in the recent report of the Technical Committee on the Disposal of Solid Toxic Wastes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why planning permission was given to the main contractors constructing the Hatfield by-pass in south-east Yorkshire to use good agricultural land for motorway fill when alternative supplies, particularly pit waste, are readily available.

This is a matter for the West Riding County Council as the local planning authority concerned. But as I have already informed the hon. Member in correspondence I understand that the contractor obtained this planning permission in order to extract material required for certain parts of the works for which pit waste would not be suitable. He does, however, intend to use substantial quantities of pit waste.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in order to safeguard the environment, he will take steps to prevent agricultural land being used for motorway filling materials during the construction of the Ml8; and to ensure that alternative supplies of suitable material, particularly pit waste, are exhausted first.

My Department invited tenders for the relevant contract on a basis which permitted the use of colliery shale and I am informed that the contractor intends to use substantial quantities of it. There will be a residual requirement, however, for some other fill material.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway were started in Staffordshire in the years 1959 to 1964, inclusive, and in the years 1965 to 1970 inclusive.

30·8 miles and 13·3 miles respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway were completed in Staffordshire in the years 1959 to 1964, inclusive, and in the years 1965 to 1970, inclusive.

16·5 miles and 27·6 miles respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many miles of motorway will be completed in Staffordshire under current plans in the years 1971 to 1975, inclusive;(2) how many miles of motorway will be started in Staffordshire under current plans in the years 1971 to 1975, inclusive.

No new motorways through Staffordshire are programmed. 8 miles are in the early stages of preparation and might be programmed for completition by the end of 1975, subject to completion of statutory procedures and the availability of funds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimated central government expenditure he has allowed for sport and recreation for the current financial year for England, Wales and Scotland; and what estimated provision he proposes for the next financial year.

£2·6 million for 1970–71 in England and Wales. Estimates for the next financial year are under consideration and will be published and presented to Parliament shortly. Grants for sport and recreations in Scotland are the concern of the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if all of the properties needed for the building of the Neasden bypass have now been acquired; in how many cases have settlements to be agreed; and what is his estimate of the total cost of acquiring properties and land in this connection.

No. There are 76 cases outstanding; the total estimated cost is £795,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway is it estimated will be completed during the financial year 1970–71 in the Narthern Region.

45 miles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway were completed in Durham County in the years 1966 to 1970, inclusive.

28·6 miles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway is it estimated will be completed in Durham County in the financial year 1970–71.

6·3 miles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway were completed in Northumberland County in the years 1966 to 1970, inclusive.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway is it estimated will be completed in Northumberland County in the financial year 1970–71.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what substantial improvements in east-west roads in the Northern Region will take place in the next five years;(2) what substantial improvements in east-west roads in the Northern Region which will take place in the next five years were planned up to June, 1970.

I list below the major trunk road schemes on which substantial progress is expected in the next five years. All of these were programmed or in preparation at 30th June, 1970:

• A66—Chapel Brow to Barons Cross (excluding Keswick Bypass).
• A66—Brough Bypass.
• A66—Greta Bridge Bypass.
• A66—Palliard to Summit.
• A66—Bowes Bypass.
• A66—Keswick Bypass.
• A64—Malton Bypass.
• A65—M6 to County Boundary.
• A69—Bush Bends improvement.
• A69—Greenhead improvement.
• A69—Hexham and Corbridge Bypass.
• A69—Throckley, Heddon and Horsley Diversion.
• A69—Whitechapel and Minnow Bridge improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway it is estimated will be built in the Northern Region in the years 1971–75, inclusive.

13·5 miles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the estimated total expenditure on roads in the Northern Region in 1969 and 1970; and what proportion of each year's figures was from central Government funds.

I regret that figures for calendar years are not available. £57·2 million was spent in 1968–69 and £67·7 million in 1969–70. The proportions from central government funds were 66 and 69 per cent. respectively; in addition general assistance was given via rate support grant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the £150 million road programme for the Northern Region which he announced on 19th February represents an increase or a decrease in the annual rate of expenditure on roads over the previous five years.

Annual expenditure on the road programme in the Northern Region averaged about £25 million between 1965–66 and 1969–70. Between 1970–71 and 1974–75 it is planned to average £30 million a year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for the improvement of East-West roads in the Northern Region.

Following are the major trunk road schemes in this category programmed or in preparation:

• A66—Chapel Brow to Barons Cross (excluding Keswick Bypass).
• A66—Keswick Bypass.

• A66—Brough Bypass.
• A66—Greta Bridge Bypass.
• A66—Appleby Bypass.
• A66—Palliard to Summit.
• A66—Bowes Bypass.
• A64—Malton Bypass.
• A65—M6 to County Boundary.
• A69—Brampton improvement.
• A69—Bush Bends improvement.
• A69—Greenhead improvement.
• A69—Hexham and Corbridge Bypass.
• A69—Horsley to Corbridge.
• A69—Throckley, Heddon and Horsley Diversion.
• A69—Whitechapel and Minnow Bridge.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much he proposes to invest in road improvements in the Northern Region in the years 1971–75, giving the amounts for each year.

It is planned to invest at least £150 million on motorways, trunk and principal road improvements in the Northern Region between 1970–71 and 1974–75. The annual incidence of payments will depend on the progress made on individual schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway he proposes to construct in the years 1971–75 in the Northern Region.

12·3 miles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of dual carriageway he proposes to construct in the Northern Region in the years 1971–75.

About 90 miles of dual carriageway should be completed on trunk roads in the years 1971–75.In addition local authorities forecast completion of about 45 miles of dual carriageway principal roads.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new schemes will figure in the road construction programme for the Northern Region between 1971–75.

The number of major schemes forecast to start work in the Northern Region between 1971–75 is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much of the total planned investment in road construction between 1971 and 1975 will relate to the A19, the Al, and the Sunderland bypass.

It is estimated that expenditure on these roads between 1970–71 and 1974–75 will be approximately as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the total investment in road construction in the Northern Region in each year from 1965 to 1970: and what is the estimated amount for 1970 to 1971;(2) what was the total investment in road construction in the constituency of Houghton-le-Spring in each year from 1958 to 1970; and what is the estimated amount for 1970 to 1971;(3) what was the total investment in road construction in the Northern Region in each year since 1958.

The total investment in road construction in the Northern Region since 1963–64 is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much of the estimated investment in new road construction between 1971 and 1975 relates to schemes already in train, or approved before 18th June, 1970, in the Northern Region and in the constituency of Houghton-le-Spring.

It is estimated that about one half of the £150 million expected to be spent in the next five years on new and improved main roads in the Region will relate to projects which were under construction or committed before June last year.Data about investment in particular constituencies is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated grant allocation for county road schemes in the Newburn Urban District of Northumberland County for the financial year 1970–71.

I understand that the Northumberland County Council (the highway authority for county roads in Newburn) expect to allocate £·106 million to the Urban District Council for road schemes in the financial year 1970–71.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (I) what is the estimated sum expended on trunk road schemes in the Newburn Urban District of Northumberland County in the financial year 1970–71;(2) what was the sum total spent on trunk road schemes in Northumberland County in the years 1966 to 1970, inclusive;(3) what is the estimated sum expended on trunk road schemes in Northumberland County in the financial year 1970–71;(4) what was the total sum spent on trunk road schemes in Durham County in the years 1966–70, inclusive;(5) what is the estimated sum spent on trunk road schemes in Durham County in the financial year 1970–71;

Expenditure in the financial years 1965–66 to 1969–70, inclusive, was:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many miles of dual carriageway it is estimated will be completed during the financial year 1970–71 in Northumberland County;(2) how many miles of dual carriageway it is estimated will be completed during the financial year 1970–71 in Durham County;(3) how many miles of dual carriageway it is estimated will be completed in Newcastle-upon-Tyne during the financial year 1970–71.

The information, which includes details obtained from the highway authorities, is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many miles of dual carriageway were completed in Northumberland County in the year 1966–70, inclusive;(2) how many miles of dual carriageway were completed in Durham County in the years 1966–70, inclusive.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of dual carriageway were completed in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the years 1966–71.

Two miles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the value of all road schemes completed in North-East England in the financial years 1969–70, 1968–69, 1967–68;(2) what was the value of all road schemes completed in the Northern Region in the financial years 1969–70, 1968–69, and 1967–68.

The information, which includes details from the highway authorities involved, is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the value of all road schemes completed in Northumberland County in the financial years 1966 to 1970, inclusive;(2) what was the value of all road schemes completed in Durham County in the financial years 1966 to 1970, inclusive.

The information available indicates as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the estimated value of all road schemes which will be completed in Northumberland County in the financial year 1970–71;(2) what is the estimated value of all road schemes which will be completed in Durham County in the financial year 1970–71;(3) what is the estimated value of all road schemes which will be completed in North-East England in the financial year 1970–71;(4) what is the estimated value of all road schemes which will be completed in the Northern Region in the financial year 1970–71.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the sum allocated in grants for principal road schemes to local authorities in the Northern Region and what was the sum financed by the local authorities in the years 1966 to 1970 inclusive;(2) what was the total sum spent in the Northern region on improving the road structure in the five years 1966 to 1970, inclusive.

£137·5 million was spent on road construction in the Northern Region in the five years 1965–66 to 1969–70 of which £128·5 million was spent on motorways, trunk and principal roads. These figures include about £30 million specific Central Government grant and about £13 million expenditure by local highway authorities on principal road schemes. All figures exclude land costs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the estimated sum of the grant allocation to local authorities in the Northern Region in respect of principal road schemes in the financial year 1970–71;(2) what is the estimated sum of the grant allocation to Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Council in respect of principal road schemes in the financial year 1970–71.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total sum of money in respect of planned road schemes in the Northern Region at June, 1970.

£165 million, representing the estimated cost of major trunk and principal road schemes programmed or in preparation but not approved for start of work as at 30th June, 1970. Expenditure on these schemes will extend well beyond the next five years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of motorway were completed in the Northern Region during the years 1966 to 1970, inclusive.

77·2 miles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the posts in his Department considered unsuitable for women, in particular to ensure that women may be allowed to become Custodians in the Houses of Parliament and Yeoman Warders.

In principle there is no objection to the employment of women Custodians in the Houses of Parliament, but because of the limited accommodation available for them for changing and other purposes it is not practicable at the present time to think in terms of a mixed force.Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London are recruited exclusively from warrant officers or colour sergeants who have served on a regular engagement in the British Army or the Royal Air Force. They must possess Long Service and Good Conduct Medals. At no time have women been specifically excluded from applying for Yeoman Warder vacancies, and if any did so they would be considered in competition with male applicants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total investment in public lighting in the Northern Region in each year from 1958 to 1970; and what is the estimated amount for 1970 to 1971.

Expenditure on the installation of public lighting reported by highway authorities in the Northern Region amounted to £284,000 in 1968–69 and £239,000 in 1969–70. Information is not available for earlier years and details of expenditure proposed in subsequent years will have to await receipt of the Highway Authority annual returns.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much he proposes to invest in public lighting in the Northern Region in the years 1971 to 1975; and how much of this will relate to the constituency of Houghton-le-Spring.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses were built in the Northern Region in each year from 1958 to 1970 in the public and private sectors; and what was the number built in the constituency of Houghton-le-Spring.

The hon. Member can obtain the regional information he seeks from Housing Statistics No. 7 (Supplementary Table IV) for 1958 to 1966 and from Housing Statistics No. 19 (Table 3) for 1966 to 1969. Copies of the publications are available in the Library. The 1970 figures for the Northern Region were: public sector 11,410 dwellings completed, private sector 8,560. Figures are not available for the Houghton-le-Spring constituency which does not coincide with local housing authority areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new houses, public and private, he estimates will be built in the Northern Region in each year from 1971 to 1975.

I am not prepared to make these forecasts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many unfit houses he estimates will be demolished and rebuilt in the Northern Region in each year from 1971 to 1975.

Forward programmes as requested from local housing authorities in Circular 92/69 do not extend beyond the calendar year 1973. The returns from authorities in the Northern Region show that they propose to demolish or close under slum clearance powers a total of 23,314 houses in the years to 1971–73 as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many unfit houses were demolished and rebuilt in the Northern Region in each year from 1958 to 1970; and what were the individual figures for district and borough councils in the county of Durham.

Figures for all houses demolished or closed in the Northern Region from 1955 can be found in Table 38 of Housing Statistics No. 19 published in November, 1970. Similar information for individual local authorities can be obtained from Local Housing Statistics, England and Wales, for 1966 onwards and for previous years from the Appendix to the Housing Returns. Copies of all these publications are available in the Library.The numbers of new houses built to replace unfit houses demolished cannot be separately identified from those built for other purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) by how much he intends to increase the Exchequer subsidy for slum clearance purposes; and from what date;(2) if he will consider retrospective remuneration to local authorities with outstanding slum clearance records when introducing a higher rate of subsidy for slum clearance.

My right hon. Friend's discussions with the local authorities on the reform of housing finance are still in progress and I cannot at present give details about the new slum clearance subsidy.But I believe that the new subsidy will be helpful to authorities with slum clearance problems.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to complete his review of housing finance.

This will depend on how quickly my right hon. Friend can conclude his discussions with the local authority associations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with the National Coal Board on despoliation of beaches on the North-East Coast arising from tipping of colliery waste material; and what conclusions have been reached.

There have been discussions between all parties concerned over a long period.As the hon. Member knows, the difficulty is to discover a way of reconciling the need to keep the pits running on an economic basis with the need to keep the waste off the beaches.My right hon. Friend will, however, initiate fresh discussions with the National Coal Board in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the line proposed for the South-Eastern sector of Ringway Three; and whether he will now confirm that the line proposed over thirty years ago for this sector of the South Orbital Road will not be followed, thus alleviating the anxiety felt by families living in the vicinity of the original line.

My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to announce his intentions for this proposed route towards the end of next year. I am afraid that I cannot yet say what line it might take.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total Exchequer provision for the Countryside Commission for each of the years 1970–71 to 1974–75.

The provision for expenditure directly incurred by the Countryside Commission in 1970–71 was £275,000. The provision for 1971–72 will be included in the estimates shortly to be presented to Parliament.The provisions for later years will be settled, in the light of the continuing review of public expenditure, when the estimates for those years come forward for consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now in a position to 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.

I have no such intention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of public investment in new construction in the Northern Region for the years 1971 to 1975.

No reliable estimate is available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will strengthen the building regulations so as to avoid such rapid deterioration as has occurred at Six Acres Estate, Lennox Road, N.4, which were completed less than two years ago.

I understand that these flats suffer from condensation. Technical advice on this subject was published last year and further study is in hand: we shall consider in the light of results whether we need to amend the building regulations. Buildings in Inner London are subject to the G.L.C.'s byelaws and it is for the G.L.C. to consider whether they need amendment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to enable him to set housing targets for Greater London boroughs.

No. Discussions are, however, taking place with the London Boroughs about the whole question of London housing, including the prospects for new local housing over the next few years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the value of the private-sector construction projects designed to metric dimensions and dimensionally co-ordinated which have reached production drawings stage so far; what is the value of such work which has started on site so far; and what is the estimated figure for 1971.

According to the latest statistics issued by the Royal Institute of British Architects, the value of such projects at 30th September, 1970 was £129 million. Since the Institute does not analyse these statistics by dates of starts on site, the information requested in the last two parts of the question is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has discussed with the N.H.B.R.C. further measures for improving the protection given to buyers of new houses.

I have discussed the possibility of increasing the protection afforded to new house buyers with the N.H.B.R.C. and am glad to announce that the Council have decided to introduce a new form of legal Agreement which obliges the actual vendor to accept liability for defects in work carried out by registered housebuilders. This will for the first time provide an incentive for developers, who employ registered house builders, to see that the building work is carried out satisfactorily. Building societies are cooperating in seeing that this agreement is offered to purchasers.The N.H.B.R.C. are also opening a new training school for their Inspectors, and are making a closer check into the financial and technical capabilities of new builders coming on to the Register. Those firms already registered are also being reviewed and advisory letters are being sent to the 100 house builders identified as the least satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for establishing an independent inquiry into the training of teachers in Scotland.

The General Teaching Council for Scotland recently set up an inquiry into the training of teachers for work in secondary schools. After consultation with the Council I have concluded that a wider inquiry is not needed at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that no undue delay is being occasioned by hospitals in giving information requested by his district social security officers concerning claims for benefit by work people; and if he will make a statement.

The great majority of the reports requested by the Department of Health and Social Security are provided expeditiously but I am concerned that there are some apparently avoidable delays in a relatively small number of cases. My Department is reviewing the guidance issued to hospitals to emphasise the importance of providing such information as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has studied the recommendations of the jury appointed to inquire into the disaster on 2nd January last at Ibrox Park, Govan, in which 66 people lost their lives; and if he will make a statement on the matter and say what further steps he proposes to take to ensure maximum safety for spectators at football grounds.

Yes. The matters which the Government have referred to Lord Wheatley and Mr. Walter Winterbottom and their expert advisers, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 4th February, are in line with the jury's recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if the money allocated for the year 1971–72 for primary school building, how much is being allocated for the Lanarkshire Education Comittee area.

Education authorities are normally given a single allocation to cover both primary and secondary school building. The 1971–72 figure for Lanarkshire is £2·77 million. The Authority has, however, been given a supplementary allocation of £0·4 million to enable them to make a start with the provision of accommodation needed for the reduction of class sizes in primary schools in advance of the main allocations for 1972–73 for primary school improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what research is taking place into the evidence of the connection between heart disease and the water supply particularly in the Glasgow area.

Much research on this subject has been undertaken in many parts of the world, and the connection is fairly clearly established. The research was reviewed at a Meeting in October, 1969, a report of which was given in my Chief Medical Officer's "Health Bulletin" for July, 1970, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the examination of the interaction of the laws of Scotland with the provisions of the Treaty of Rome to be complete; and if he will make a statement to the House immediately upon its completion.

The results of the examination will be reflected in whatever proposals the Government may ultimately submit to Parliament. I am unable at present to say when that will be.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the air navigation beacon at Stoke D'Abernon will be moved to Wisley.

It is planned to have a VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range (V.O.R.) installed at Wisley and ready for operational use by the end of August, 1971.Distance Measuring Equipment (D.M.E.) which is to be located with the V.O.R. should be ready in October, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the average nightly total of jet aircraft movements at London Airport (Heathrow) for each quarter of the five years to 31st December, 1970.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether Aeroflot has yet sought permission to land the TU144 at any British airport.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the level of British investment in South Africa in each of the last five years.

I have been asked to reply.United Kingdom private investment in South Africa, net of disinvestment, in the latest five years for which figures are at present available is estimated at approximately:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of Group Technology, Blacknest, Brimpton.