asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what changes airlines have made in their options and orders for Concorde as a result of the insolvency of Rolls-Royce and its subsequent effects on the RB211 engine.

Negotiations are currently in train between the manufacturers and the airlines concerned to extend their options.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what representations he has received as to the delay which has been caused to the Lockheed Tristar certification schedule through the late delivery of flight-rated RB211 engine.

None. The first and second Lockheed Tristar aircraft flew on time.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply whether discussions between negotiators representing Her Majesty's Government and Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited and Lockheed Aviation, over the renegotiation of the RB211 engine, have been on the basis that all research for this project was presently continuing.

Lockheed know that work is continuing on RB211 at a level which will enable the project to go ahead without further delay if a new contract is negotiated.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what number of redundancies declared at Rolls-Royce Limited between 8th March and 24th March has involved staff working on the RB211 project.

Although the number of people working on the RB211 project has not declined significantly between the two dates mentioned, some individuals declared redundant have been replaced in post. No estimate of this number is available.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply whether the offer by Her Majesty's Government for a renegotiated RB211 contract now being considered by Lockheed Aviation includes provision for continuing work into Hyfil carbon fibre fan blades.

The negotiations are concerned with the broader aspects of a new contract for supply of the RB211 engine to Lockheed, on the assumption that the engine will be fitted with Titsnium fan blades. The use of Hyfil at a later stage is not ruled out.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply when he now hopes to reply to the American invitation to participate in the later phases of the Post-Apollo Programme.

The possible participation by European countries in the post-Apollo Programme is still under discussion with the American authorities and I cannot therefore add to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member on 10th February, 1971.—[Vol. 811, c. 495.]

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what progress is being made with the financial reconstruction of Short Brothers and Harland Limited; and when he expects negotiations to be completed.

I have nothing to add to my reply to my hon. Friend on 10th February.—[Vol. 811, c. 512.]

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what study he has made of the relative productivity of the British aircraft industry compared with that of France and the United Stales of America; and whether he will set up a productivity council to consider means of improving productivity in relation to investment inside the industry, and to make recommendations.

An extensive and valuable study on productivity in the aircraft industry was carried out by the Elstub Committee. The Report was published and was widely studied in the industry. I do not think it would be helpful to set up a productivity council at this stage.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what number of the labour force employed by Rolls-Royce Limited on 3rd February, 1971 have now left the company involuntarily, or are under notice to do so.

About 4,000 in all; the exact number will depend upon how many of the employees in question decide to leave voluntarily.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply to what extent recent redundancies declared at Rolls-Royce Limited in Derby and Hucknall are consequent upon the decision by Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited not to proceed with research into Hyfil carbon fibre materials.

Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited have taken no such decision.

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply if he will state the number of firms manufacturing goods in Scotland for the several Rolls-Royce factories in the Scottish Region.

As I explained in reply to a similar Question on 26th February, full details of sub-contracts placed by Rolls-Royce Limited are not held in this Department.—[Vol. 812, c. 255.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking, preparatory to the reorganisation of local government in England, to reduce the statutory control of Central Government over local government; and if he will make a statement.

As stated in the White Paper on the reorganisation of local government, I shall be examining controls over local authorities' actions with their associations, with a view to increasing their discretion where possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which authorities, when the Government's proposals for the reorganisation of local government are implemented, will be responsible for the employment and payment of professional planning staff.

I shall be consulting the local authority associations and other interested bodies about this before reaching conclusions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish the Green Paper on Local Government Finance before introducing legislation on the structural reorganisation of local government in England.

I certainly hope to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has decided to designate 144 Piccadilly as a building of historic importance.

This building is included in the statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest. An application has been received for listed building consent for its demolition and I hope to give my decision shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research is being carried out into the ecological aspects of reclaiming derelict and disturbed land.

Under a contract from the Natural Environment Research Council, which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, a comprehensive survey of published work related to derelict land research is being undertaken by Mr. G. T. Goodman of Swansea University. Government bodies doing research in this field include the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Forestry Commission. Research is also being carried out in university departments, much of it with grants from N.E.R.C. A list of some of this work is attached.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will arrange for a regular day to be given to Questions dealing specifically with matters affecting London constituencies, bearing in mind that these represent a population in excess of 9 million.

No. I believe there are already adequate opportunities for Questions affecting London to be raised.

asked the Lord President of the Council, whether, in view of the heavy workload and resultant breakdowns of the copying machine in 7, Old Palace Yard, he will make arrangements for a larger machine to be installed.

It is not possible to install a larger copying machine in 7, Old Palace Yard as there is no space available, but in view of the heavy workload, I have arranged for a second machine similar to the present one, to be installed.

asked the Lord President of the Council what facilities exist for administering medical first-aid to persons employed in the Palace of Westminster.

There is a fully equipped first-aid room in the lower waiting hall and first-aid boxes are available in a number of places throughout the House. All police are trained in first-aid, and medically qualified Members of Parliament make themselves available when called on.

asked the Lord President of the Council how many persons are employed part and full time in the Palace of Westminster; and if he will specify the number in each occupation.

The following persons are employed part time and full time in the Palace of Westminster on sitting days:Department of the Clerk of the House, 91 full time, consisting of:

Clerks	46
Executive and Clerical Officers	20
Secretaries	18
Others	7

Department of the Speaker, 61 full time, 13 part time, consisting of:

Speaker's Office	8
Official Report	42
Vote Office and Sale Office	11
Vote Office and Sale Office	13 part time

Department of the Serjeant at Arms, 120 full time, 62 part time, consisting of:

Serjeants	4
Executive and Clerical Officers	5
Doorkeepers	40
Officekeepers	6
Superintendents and Attendants	52
Others	13
Cleaners	62 part time

Library, 51 full time, 6 part time, consisting of:

Librarians and Library Clerks	20
Executive and Clerical Officers	18
Others	13
Copy Typists	2 part time
Cleaners	4 part time

Administration Department, 19 full time, consisting of:

Fees Office	14
Establishment Section	4
Others	1
Members' Secretaries	197

Police, total 61, consisting of:

Inspector	1
Sergeants	2
P.C.s	58

Post Office Staff, total 106, consisting of:

Postal	30
Telephone and Engineering Staff	76
Press, daily average	200
Refreshment Department	145 full time
Refreshment Department	42 part time
Department of the Environment	289 full time
Department of the Environment	24 part time

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will make a statement about travel facilities for Members' wives.

I intend to table very shortly a Resolution proposing that hon. Members shall in future have the right on behalf of their wife (or husband) to four free first-class return vouchers a year. Eligible journeys would be either constituency-London or home-London by rail, sea or air service.This proposal is intended to help Members with constituencies far from London whose wives inevitably have duties in the constituency as well as in London with their husbands.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he is aware that Members of Parliament have expenses in the performance of their duties which are of a type reimbursed in the case of employees by employers; and, as these costs have risen since October, 1964, whether he will ask the review body, which he is to appoint, to consider treating Members of Parliament on the same basis as civil servants regarding these necessary expenses.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 9th February.—[Vol. 811, c. 107.]

asked the Lord President of the Council what allowance a Member of Parliament may draw when away from home on Parliamentary business.

A Member of Parliament when away from London, or his constituency, on the business of the House, receives the same allowance as a senior civil servant undertaking official duties away from his normal place of work. Members of the United Kingdom Parliamentary Delegations to the Consultative Assemblies of the Council of Europe, Western European Union, and also the North Atlantic Assembly, receive global per diem allowances to cover all necessary expenses.

asked the Lord President of the Council if, in view of the reduction in food prices in general following decimalisation, and in the wholesale and retail prices of pork and bacon in particular, he will now take steps to bring about equal price reductions in the Members' dining room, cafeteria and tea room.

I have been asked to reply.Prices charged are based on average prices over a period, and not on day-to-day fluctuations.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether, in view of Her Majesty's Government's desire to expedite British entry to the European Economic Community, he will give the reasons why he will not now move to appoint a Select Committee of the House of Commons to examine and report on ways of achieving this end.

Because I am sure that the House will have adequate, and more appropriate, opportunities of considering this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is the policy of his Department that new links to the Continent should be routed through London.

While the choice of routes for this and other traffic is a matter for the operators, substantial investment is being undertaken on ports, airports and other transport infrastructure in Scotland which is a substantial encouragement to direct services to Continental and other overseas destinations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to counteract the current publicity sponsored by the Australian Government which is designed to increase, by emigration, Scotland's loss of skilled workers.

In operating the United Kingdom-Australia Assisted Passages Scheme, which has been sponsored by successive Governments in this country since 1922, the Australian Government have always met our wish that the selection of emigrants should include a cross-section of our population and not be restricted to people with special skills or qualifications.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the lambing percentage among sheep eligible for hill sheep subsidy.

Information about lambing percentage among sheep eligible for hill sheep subsidy is not readily available and could not be provided either nationally or by counties without disproportionate expense.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what variation there is in lambing percentages in counties in Scotland where sheep are eligible for hill sheep subsidy; and if he will make a statement.

In all counties of Scotland there are sheep eligible for hill sheep subsidy. Lambing rates are influenced by many factors, particularly altitude and weather, and wide variations in the rates occur not only within counties but within districts. In sheltered districts lambing rates can approach 100 per cent., while in exposed districts rates as low as 50 per cent to 60 per cent. are not unusual.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of cases dealt with by the rent tribunals in Glasgow for the years 1969 and 1970; in how many cases was the rent increased; and in how many cases was the rent reduced.

Rent Tribunals—which deal with furnished tenancies only—are empowered, on a first application, only to approve or reduce the rent or to dismiss the application. The rent may be increased by the tribunal following an application for reconsideration of a rent already registered on the ground of a change of circumstances.The information requested is given in the table below:

First Applications
	1969	1970
Dismissed	15	23
Rent reduced	72	70
Rent approved	10	17
Total dealt with	97	110

Reconsideration Cases
Dismissed	—	1
Rent reduced	—	—
Rent approved	—	—
Rent increased	8	19
Total dealt with	8	20

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give a general direction to the Scottish Transport Group to introduce concessionary fares for elderly people.

No. This is a matter for local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many students attending teacher-training colleges in Scotland failed to qualify in 1970; and how many, having qualified, have taken posts outside the teaching profession.

Of the 5,339 students attending colleges of education who were due to qualify in the summer of 1970, 179 failed to do so. It is not known how many of those who qualified took up posts outside teaching.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent proposals to make the teaching profession more attractive in Scotland he has considered; and whether he will ensure higher incentives to teachers with added responsibilities.

I am consulting education authorities and teachers' associations on the proposals for an improved career structure for teachers set out in my Department's Memorandum "The Structure of Promoted Posts in Secondary Schools in Scotland" which was published on 4th February. I am also considering a proposal, made to me by the General Teaching Council, that graduates should be paid a salary during training. I also trust that the recent salary settlement concluded in the Scottish Teachers' Salaries Committee will help to make the profession more attractive.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from university student bodies in Scotland regarding student grants; and what reply he has sent.

Representations for increases in student grants have been received from the Scottish Union of Students and from the Students' Representative Council of the University of Glasgow. I have informed these bodies that their views will be taken into account in the current review of student grants which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science and I announced on 29th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department gives financial assistance to pre-school play groups in Scotland; and what plans he has to give such assistance.

Expenditure by local authorities on pre-school playgroups is normally assisted by Rate Support Grant. Under the urban programme, grants of 75 per cent. of expenditure have been offered to several local authorities assisting playgroups in urban areas of special social need and I shall be glad to consider any further proposals put forward by authorities in this field. I have also arranged for a grant of up to £4,000 to the Scottish Pre-School Playgroups Association for the year 1971–72 to enable them to employ a full-time adviser.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will cause an independent inquiry to be set up, to examine and report on the academic, social, physical and environmental problems within the Scottish colleges of education.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 3rd March to the hon. Member for Western Isles (Mr. Donald Stewart).—[Vol. 812, c. 452.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many requests from student bodies, attending the several teacher training colleges in Scotland, he has received, seeking the setting up of an independent inquiry into the students' present conditions.

The Students' Representative Councils at five colleges of education and one university have made representations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the review of the Scottish Law Commission, pertaining to alimony.

The machinery for enforcing court decrees for aliment and civil debt generally is being examined by the Scottish Law Commission as part of its study of the law of diligence. Work on this is still at an early stage and it is not yet possible to say when the Commission's report will be available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many nursery schools there are in Lanarkshire; how many school places there are in these schools; and what plans there are to expand the provision of nursery education in Lanarkshire.

The provision made by Lanarkshire Education Authority at January, 1971, was as follows:

• Coatholm Nursery School, Coatbridge (Roll 46).
• Hollandbush Nursery School, Hamilton (Roll 73).
• Smyllum Roman Catholic Primary School, Lanark Nursery Class (Roll 20).

Under the urban programme I have approved 75 per cent. grant on expenditure to provide an additional 140 nursery school places in Lanarkshire. I am prepared to consider further applications.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what figures he has as to the effect on costs of closing smaller schools; and if he will make a statement.

For those schools closed in the last 12 months, the net savings estimated by education authorities have ranged from £1,500 to £10,300 per annum for each school. While I take into account expected reductions in costs in considering closure proposals made by an education authority, my first concern is the educational opportunities available to the children.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whom he proposes to appoint as Chairman of the Scottish Agricultural Development Council.

I am glad to say that Mr. Michael Joughin, who is Chairman of the Board of Governors of the North of Scotland College of Agriculture, has accepted an invitation from me to serve as the first Chairman of the Council when it is constituted later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will investigate the possibility of the present instrument landing beam of three digits, at London Airport, being modified to allow a steeper descent for incoming aircraft.

No. Approach angles greater than three degrees lead to handling difficulties with modern aircraft and I am satisfied that no departure should be made from the recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation that glide paths should not be in excess of three degrees except where it would otherwise be impracticable to meet obstruction clearance limits.

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

Yes.

AVERAGE DAYTIME* JET AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS† AT LONDON AIRPORT (HEATHROW)
	1st Quarter	2nd Quarter	3rd Quarter	4th Quarter
1966	226	327	377	289
1967	290	389	437	333
1968	327	429	496	370
1969	349	512	575	440
1970	420	558	629	492
* Between 6 a.m. and 11.30 p.m. local time.
† A movement is a take off or landing of commercial air transport flight.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department has now been consulted by the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics about the timing of the introduction into service of the TU144 and the routes upon which it is proposed to operate this aircraft, so far as they affect British interests.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with British European Airways over the new arrangements for the Scottish services; and if he will make a statement.

British European Airways were in touch with me about their reorganisation, one feature of which is a Scottish Airways Division to provide and market scheduled services within Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware of declining employment opportunities in the Manchester area and if he will take steps to improve the situation.

I am aware of the employment situation in the Manchester area. The economy of the area can be expected to benefit as the Government's economic policies take effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will resist requests by the second-force airline to be given the most profitable of British European Airways' routes; if he will refuse to grant to the second-force airline the right to operate the London—Lisbon route; and if he will make a statement.

I hope to announce the decision shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of the importance of making the Smoke Control Act more positive, he will seek powers to exercise control over the price of solid smokeless fuels; and if he will make a statement.

No. The prices paid by the householder for solid smokeless fuels have not been controlled by the Government for many years, and I see no reason for change in view of the competition within the trade and from alternative fuels.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in the investigation into the collapse of the Vehicle and General Insurance Company Limited, he will inquire into the rôle played by the British Insurance Association and the Motor Insurers Bureau in the reinsurance of passengers and dependants.

As my right hon. Friend informed my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, South-West (Mr. Tom Boardman) on 10th March, he is discussing with the British Insurance Association means by which they can contribute towards giving greater confidence to the public who take out policies of motor insurance. These discussions will take into account the existing work of the Motor Insurers' Bureau and the position of passengers and dependants.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the report of the Crowther Committee on Consumer Credit.

The Report was published today. I am most grateful to Lord Crowther and his colleagues for the thorough and conscientious way in which they have carried out their task and for all the hard work they have put into their Report.This is the first comprehensive official review of the whole area of consumer credit ever undertaken and will be of the utmost value. The conclusions of the Report will be carefully studied by the Government, including, of course, the recommendation that "terms control" over hire-purchase transactions should be abolished.The various laws regulating the rights of lenders and borrowers in consumer credit transactions are widely recognised to be in need of reform. Before the Government come to a view on many of the Committee's recommendations, we should wish to have extensive consultations with the interests concerned. These consultations will take some time but will begin immediately. I shall welcome the views of all interested parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has yet reached a decision about the provision of an Air/Sea Rescue Service for the South East.

I have decided to provide a civil air/sea rescue service from Manston for a trial period commencing this summer and continuing until the end of 1972. My Department will shortly be inviting tenders from commercial helicopter operators for this contract. The service will be under the control of H.M. Coastguard which is responsible for the co-ordination of civil marine search and rescue.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, when Rolls-Royce informed him that they were insolvent, they informed him of the date upon which they reached that conclusion.

I have been asked to reply.The Board of Rolls-Royce decided that they were insolvent on 4th February, and informed me the same day.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct the Central Office of Information to include the Morning Star newspaper on its list of newspapers in which the Government are willing to buy advertising space.

No. Government advertising has always been placed wholly on a commercial basis. The Morning Star will be considered for such advertising when, like every other national newspaper, it provides independently certified circulation figures and analysis of readership.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will lay before Parliament a draft of the pamphlet which Her Majesty's Government intend to publish and distribute regarding the application by Great Britain to join the European Economic Community.

No. The Government are issuing a series of factual broadsheets, known as Factsheets, about the European Communities, about Britain's negotiations for entry, and about the implications for Britain if we join. Copies will be available in the Libraries of both Houses on publication. These will also be available free of charge in Post Offices throughout Britain.The first Factsheet should be available in Post Offices from 25th March. Others will follow at intervals of about a fortnight. It will be recalled that the Government also issued free broadsheets during the 1961–63 negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will give full details of the progress which has been made at Deputy level in the Common Market negotiations concerning the question of tariff quotas on certain commodities of importance to British industry;(2) if he will give full details of the progress which has been made at Deputy level in the Common Market negotiations concerning the question of capital movement;(3) if he will give full details of the progress which has been made at Deputy level in the Common Market negotiations concerning the question of a fiscal harmonisation;(4) if he will give full details of the progress which has been made at Deputy level in the Common Market negotiations concerning the question of the modalities of Great Britain's participation in the European Investment Bank;(5) if he will give full details of the progress which has been made at Deputy level in the Common Market negotiations concerning the question of the method of agricultural transition.

Discussions at Deputy level in the negotiations are confidential. Negotiatons on these subjects have not yet been concluded. When agreement is reached and recorded at a Ministerial Meeting, I will inform the House in my statement following that Meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what solution Her Majesty's Government regard as acceptable and equitable for the problems of the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement countries in the Common Market negotiations;(2) what solution Her Majesty's Government regard as acceptable and equitable for the problems of New Zealand in the Common Market negotiations.

Acceptable and equitable solutions to these problems if we join the European Communities are the subject of confidential negotiations with the Communities. I cannot go beyond my statement of 18th March without prejudice to these negotiations.—[Vol. 813, c. 1659–60.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made during the Common Market negotiations to protect the livelihood of Great Britain's inshore fishermen if Great Britain enters the Common Market.

Her Majesty's Government have reserved their position on the common fisheries policy of the European Economic Community. They are proceeding with a detailed examination of the national and regional implications of the policy for us. This includes exploratory contacts with the Commission of the Communities, which are without prejudice to our position generally on this issue.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of hospital beds required in the Cardiff and district area; and whether this estimate reflects an increase or a decrease in the number of hospital beds available.

I would ask the right hon. Gentleman to await the decision of my right hon. and learned Friend on the management of hospital services in Cardiff.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the talks in London between his Department and the South African Arms Purchasing Mission.

Our understanding is that the intention of the South African Evaluation Team at present visiting Europe is to recommend the appointment of consultants on maritime defence equipment. They are having discussions with my Department which has much experience in this field.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is the present pupil-teacher ratio in secondary schools in Staffordshire;(2) what is the present pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in Staffordshire.

In January, 1970, 17·9 in secondary schools and 28·4 in primary schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will issue a circular encouraging local education authorities to restrict the use of roller towels in schools and to install paper towel dispensers on grounds of both hygiene and safety.

I am considering whether I can usefully issue any general advice to local education authorities about the potential dangers involved in having some kinds of roller towel, particularly for the use of younger children.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will give the number and occupational groups of those employed by the Agricultural Research Council.

The staff distribution as at 1st March, 1971 was as follows:

Scientific Class	335
Experimental Class and Scientific Assistants	699
Technical and other staff	170
Administrative staff	296
Industrial staff	424
Total	1,924

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is the cost of supplying school milk in the Northern Region; and what will be the cost after the Government's decision to deprive children under seven years of age of school milk is implemented;(2) what will be the estimated annual net saving in the Northern Region from the increased school meals charges commencing on 1st April, 1971; and what is the comparable estimate for the further price increase on 1st April, 1973.

Information on costs is not available on a regional basis. There has been no decision to deprive children under seven of school milk.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in view of the representations which have been made to her from various sources, she will consider appointing an independent Chairman of the Tribunal at present investigating teachers' salaries.

The arrangements for arbitration provide that, when it has been decided in a Burnham Committee that there shall be a reference to arbitration, the Chairman shall invite the Secretary of State for Employment to convene an arbitral body for the purpose. Under the arrangements it is then for my right hon. Friend, and not for me, to appoint, after consultation with the two panels, an independent person as its Chairman.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has for the better control of safety and health standards for outworkers and persons working at home.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to introduce new legislation on this subject, but it is within the terms of reference of the Robens Committee which is now sitting.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that local authorities are carrying out their obligations under Section 133 of the Factories Act, 1961; and if he will make a statement.

Section 133 of the Factories Act requires district councils to examine the lists of outworkers received from factory occupiers and contractors and to send to the appropriate district council the name and place of work of any outworker who does not work in their district.If the hon. Member has evidence that any district council is not complying with the law in this matter I shall be pleased to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is aware of the problem in the North-West of the declining work-opportunity for men and women over 35 years of age; and if he will take steps to help employment prospects in this category.

According to the latest figures available, those for January, people aged 35 and over form a lower proportion of the wholly unemployed register in North-Western Region than in Great Britain as a whole. I am aware that employment problems exist for some in their late thirties but the difficulties are most acute for the over 55's.My Department's staff in the employment exchanges do all they can to persuade employers to engage men and women who can do the job whatever their age. The new developments in training for the unemployed announced by my right hon. Friend on 4th November last are aimed at helping people of all ages. An important element is the special scheme of grants to employers in development and intermediate areas who engage and retrain workers who are over 45 years and who have been unemployed for at least eight weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the total number of plumbers formerly engaged on house building and industrial building, at present registered as unemployed within the Edinburgh and Lothians employment exchanges area.

Following is the information:

Numbers of registered wholly unemployed men at 8th March, 1971 (provisional) who last worked in the construction industry as plumbers and pipe fitters:
Edinburgh	68
Leith	29
Portobello	9
Dalkeith	2
Loanhead	3
Musselburgh	2
Tranent	2
Bathgate	4
Livingston	5
West Calder	—
Broxburn	4
B'ness	—
Linlithgow	—
Haddington	2
Total	130