asked the Secretary of State for Wales what specific matters relating to Wales and the European Economic Community will be discussed during the proposed visit of Welsh Office officials to Brussels.

There will be a general exchange of information and views with the United Kingdom Delegation to the European Communities and with the staff of the Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much of the grant made available to the Wales Tourist Board has been taken up by them.

For information about expenditure by the Wales Tourist Board, I must ask the hon. Member to await the Board's annual report and statement of accounts and the relevant Appropriation account of the Welsh Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many housing projects by local authorities have been refused sanction by the Welsh Office due to cost increases being claimed by builders over and above the originally tendered price.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications for rent increases were submitted by landlords to rent officers in Wales during the last three years; and how many were rejected because of the sub-standard conditions of the houses involved.

Separate figures distinguishing between applications from landlords and those from tenants and joint applications are not available. Rent Officers have no power to reject applications to fix a fair rent because of the condition of the house, but this is reflected in the rents fixed, since in determining a fair rent the Rent Officer must have regard to the age, character and locality of the dwelling-house and to its state of repair.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications have been made to rent officers in Wales up to the last available date; and how many fair rents have been determined.

Up to 12th March, 1971, 5,503 and 5,001 respectively. These are net figures and exclude applications for Certificates of Fair Rent.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the waiting period for tonsil and adenoid operations for children and adults, respectively, in the hospitals covered by the Pontypridd and Rhondda Hospital Management Committee.

It would not be meaningful to give an average waiting time. Urgent cases are treated promptly. Others may have to wait a substantial time.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had concerning the effect on Welsh industry of increases in the price of oil products which have taken place since 18th June, 1970.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when the new improved hearing aid OL 66 is likely to be available for National Health patients in Wales and Monmouthshire.

Production difficulties arising during the manufacture of an initial quantity of aids for the field trials now make it unlikely that the aid will be available for priority classes until 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he can now announce a definite date when his decision with regard to the Collern proposals for an expressway through Colwyn Bay will be made known.

When I have considered the Consulting Engineers' Report, which is now expected in June, I hope to be able to announce the basis on which planning will be continued, so that draft Orders proposing a specific route for the new road can be published.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases have been heard before furnished rent tribunals in Wales in each year since 1964.

The following table shows the number of cases heard by Furnished Rent Tribunals in Wales since 1964. These include security of tenure cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated number of furnished tenancies in Wales.

No accurate figures are available, but the number is estimated to be around 20,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the current level of income per head in Wales; and if he will request the Welsh Economic Council to study this matter.

Comprehensive information on income per head in Wales is not readily available at present. But the current research project which is being undertaken by Professor Revell and his team at Bangor under the joint sponsorship of the Welsh Office and Welsh Council is designed inter alia to extend the existing range of information regarding incomes.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what specific plans he has for increasing the number of hospital beds available in Wales.

Provision of beds cannot be considered in isolation. Other factors such as, for example, staff and supporting diagnostic and out-patient facilities leading to a greater efficiency of bed use are equally important. My Department and the Welsh Hospital Board keep them all under continual review.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now announce his policy on the teaching of the Welsh language in Wales.

I am not yet in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales in view of the recent resignation of the consultant paediatrician at Carmarthen, if he will now instruct the Welsh Hospital Board to appoint one paediatrician to Carmarthen and one to Aberystwyth.

No. I understand that it would be inadvisable to appoint single-handed paediatricians to these hospitals.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many local authorities have commenced schemes for the improvement of old houses since the passing of the 1969 Housing Act; and what is the total number of houses covered by these schemes.

Sixteen General Improvement Areas containing 3,875 houses have been declared and proposals for at least a further 20 areas covering about 5,000 houses are under consideration.Between the passing of the Act and December, 1970, over 15,000 individual houses have been improved with the aid of grant, over 4,000 of them by local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of old houses considered capable of improvement in the latest survey; and what steps have been taken to encourage local authorities to proceed with schemes.

A total of 155,000 houses lack one or more of the basic amenities and there are many more which, although they have these amenities, should be modernised, Eighty authorities have now been visited by officers of my Department as part of a sustained campaign.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has sought the views of the Montgomeryshire County Council with regard to the proposal made by the Machynlleth Urban District Council that a pedestrian crossing be provided at a point which has been indicated to the Department's inspectors in Maengwyn Street, Machynlleth; and what action he proposes to take.

A traffic and pedestrian count was take last August by the County Council who, in notifying me of the result, pointed out that the criteria for providing a pedestrian crossing were far from being met. As I have explained to the hon. and learned Member in correspondence, I do not consider that a pedestrian crossing here would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many additional miles of the M4 motorway within Wales are planned for completion in each of the years 1971 to 1972, 1972 to 1973, 1973 to 1974 and 1974 to 1975; and how many miles of dual carriageway between the end of the motorway and Haverfordwest are planned for completion in the same years.

Between Newport and Haverfordwest present plans include over 45 miles of new motorway and over 20 miles of all-purpose dual carriageway road.Of the motorway, four miles are under construction and should be completed in 1972–73. Of the all-purpose road, nearly eight miles are under construction or in the firm programme and should be completed by 1972–73.The balance is in the preparation pool. I hope all the motorway and most of the dual carriageway will be completed by 1976, but I cannot at present indicate completion dates for individual sections.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many consultants and other medical practitioners have been appointed to serve in the County Hospital, Haverfordwest, since 12th February,1971.

No consultant has been appointed. A Senior House Officer post in the Accident and Emergency Department has been filled and two doctors are undertaking eight additional clinical assistant sessions in the Accident and Emergency Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the effects of the 1971 Price Review upon the agricultural industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

The determinations made after this year's Annual Review should provide substantial benefits to Welsh agriculture. The marked increases in the guarantees for milk and beef and in the sheep sector will, in particular, have considerable influence on the profitability of our farms. I am sure Welsh farmers will respond by continuing their contribution to expansion. I am hopeful also that they will take full advantage of the increased incentives for brucellosis eradication and thus further improve their position.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many planning authorities in Wales have replied to his latest circular on the availability of land for house building in Wales.

No such circular has been issued in Wales. My officials keep in regular touch with the local authorities concerned with this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the dates and places of the meetings he has held for the purpose of consulting the Indian Government about cotton imports into the United Kingdom.

As the hon. Member is aware, official discussions took place in New Delhi in December, 1969. These were followed by technical discussions between the industries in London and Manchester in January and June last year. The present position is that against the background of these discussions we have made a formal request to the Indian Government for waiver of our relevant obligations under the Trade Agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms, having employees in the London Borough of Brent and the Hendon areas, have gone bankrupt in the last year; and what is his estimate of the number of redundancies which ensued.

Comprehensive information is not available. I understand, however, that since December, 1969 there have been 360 redundancies of employees of three particular businesses which were carried on in the Borough of Brent or the Hendon area; of these two were companies which went into creditors' voluntary liquidation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, of firms that went bankrupt in 1970, how many at the time of bankruptcy had capital assets below £5,000, above £5,000 but below £20,000, above £20,000 but below £50,000, and above £50,000,respectively.

I cannot give the exact numbers requested, but the great majority of firms going bankrupt, that is to say unincorporated businesses, have assets of less that £5,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in allocating the advance factories in Sunderland at present unoccupied.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the right hon.Member on 1st March.—[Vol. 812, c. 303–4.]

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

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Marylebone (Mr. Kenneth Baker) on 24th March, 1971.—[Vol. 814, c. 136–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the growth in demand expectancy for electricity during the next three years.

The Electricity Council's recently announced forecast for the winter of 1976–77 represents a growth rate in the maximum demand for electricity over the next six years of 5·7 per cent. a year. I understand that the expected growth over the next three years is similar.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the estimated increase in industrial costs of production consequent on recent and prospective rises in the prices of imported oil.

For industry as a whole the increase is likely to be less than 1 per cent., but there will be variations from industry to industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total cost of imports of timber, chipboard, hardboard and other forest products in 1966 and 1970, respectively; and what percentage of total national requirements this represented.

£382 million and £536 million respectively. In quantity terms, imports represented about nine-tenths of consumption.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps, on its receipt, to expedite the publication of the annual report of the Steel Corporation to him.

I regard the present time schedule given in my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend on 8th March which allows one month for printing with publication at the end of July as satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware that, owing to the shortfall of capital investments, the competitive standards of the United Kingdom are falling in comparison with the productiveness of foreign competitors; and what action he intends to take to reverse this trend.

The aim of the Government's economic policy is to create the conditions for industrial growth. We have already reduced Corporation Tax, and encouraged profitable investment by the change in investment incentives.We expect to see an increase in profits leading to more investment when the rate of wage inflation moderates.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further measures he is taking to assist the British film industry, to encourage employment of British actors, actresses and technicians, and to ensure the nondiscriminatory distribution and exhibition of British films on the basis of artistic and commercial merit.

We have no plans to increase the generous support already given to the British Film Industry by existing films legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if it is the policy of the Government not to reimpose tariffs on imports from European Free Trade Association members, in the event of the United Kingdom joining the European Economic Community and other European Free Trade Association Members remaining outside.

The achievement of wider economic integration in Europe is a basic objective of both E.F.T.A. and the E.E.C. It is generally recognised that it is in nobody's interest to erect fresh trade barriers in Europe, and we hope that the arrangements which all the E.F.T.A. members are discussing with the Community will reflect this.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what would be the cost to the balance of payments, and what would be the cost to the newspaper industry, of applying the European Economic Community Common External Tariff to United Kingdom imports of newsprint.

Such a calculation would be unrealistic, given that the Community has duty-free quota arrangements which permit the importation of virtually all newsprint free of duty. We are discussing with them how these arrangements might be adapted to the circumstances of an enlarged Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the name and function of the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation director appointed to the board of Chrysler United Kingdom Limited; and what responsibility he will have to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry after the dissolution of the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation.

Mr. B. Boxall. His function, like that of other I.R.C. nominated directors, is to serve the interests of the shareholders by assisting in the development of the company. We are currently considering policy for the future.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what he regards as an adequate sample of likely demand for the use of new airports before investing national funds in such projects.

Forecast demands of future airport traffic are based on a number of factors of which past and present use is only one. I am satisfied that the 1 per cent. sample used in the 1968 survey provided a reliable indication of the origins and destinations of passengers using the London area airports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will extend the operation of the grant scheme for hotel building in the northeast special development areas.

No. I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 27th October, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what approaches he has received from the Coal Board to increase the price of domestic coal by 10 per cent.; and what was the nature of his reply.

The Coal Board have informed us of the proposals which they will be putting on Wednesday next to the Domestic Coal Consumers Council for increases in the price of domestic coal. I await the Council's views on these proposals which involve different percentage increases for different types of coal.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a further statement on his proposals for the recording of exports.

I shall make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates were refused and granted in each of the planning regions during the month of February, 1971; and how many new jobs are estimated to accrue.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many civil servants, in what grades, are employed at the Investment Grants Office, Billingham; and how many in each grade will be retained following the transfer of accounts work from South Monmouthshire;(2) how many civil servants, in what grades, will be transferred from other locations to the Billingham Investment Grants Office, when it undertakes its new function of accounts work.

One hundred and thirty one civil servants are employed at Billingham; the accounts work will probably employ about 128.Only a few key staff will be transferred to Billingham. Efforts will continue to find local posts for staff who cannot be absorbed on accounts work.Details of the grades are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has yet completed his investigations into the possibility of an inquiry under Section 165 of the Companies Act into the bankruptcy of the Vehicle and General Insurance Company.

As my right hon. Friend informed my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, South-West (Mr. Tom Boardman), on 10th March, he has appointed Mr. Michael Eastham, Q.C., and Mr. R. T. M. McPhail, C.A. under Section 165(b) of the Companies Act, 1948, as inspectors to investigate the affairs of this company.—[Vol. 813, c. 138–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what conclusion he has come to following his receipt of the report of the Machine Tool Expert Committee; and if he will make a statement.

Following receipt of the report of the Machine Tool Expert Committee, we concluded it should be made available to industry through publication. This was done by H.M.S.O. on 18th February, 1971. We are at present studying the recommendations aimed at Government in consultation with other Government Departments, and also expect to receive the concerted views of the machine tool industry. Following completion of our studies we shall be able to decide whether a statement is required.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers he would have, in the event of the United Kingdom joining the European Economic Community, to attract new investment to the Northern Region, in view of the reluctance of industrialists to invest in an area so far away from the main market in an enlarged Community.

The Treaty of Rome makes provision for members to give assistance to regional development. I do not accept that United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Community would lead to any loss of investment in the Northern Region. On the contrary, all parts of the country should share in the increased opportunities that membership would give.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he intends to establish a code of practice to prevent unfair trading in man-made fibres.

I have given full consideration to the proposals of the previous Government but since a code would be likely to limit the freedom of producers and users alike to respond to market forces, I have concluded that it would not be helpful. A strong and efficient textile industry is best served by having a number of strong fibre producers in free competition with one another. The Man-Made Fibre Producers' Committee has undertaken to consult with my Department about any complaint of abuse of market power or of action which would tend to inhibit the development of a competitive textile industry. Trading in man-made fibres, of course, remains subject to the provisions of the monopolies legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to enable firms already established in special development and development districts to be beneficiaries under the Local Employments Acts, and other legislation designed to increase the number of jobs available in these areas.

Substantial assistance is already available under the Local Employment Acts for established firms which are expanding and providing additional employment in these areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many successful prosecutions were brought under the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968 in each of the years since 1968 to 1970 inclusive, in each branch of the retail trade, including the supply of petrol and oil to motorists;(2) how many successful prosecutions were brought under the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968 in each of the years since 1968 to 1970 inclusive, in service industries, including the maintenance and repair of motor vehicles;(3) how many successful prosecutions were brought under the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968 in each of the years since 1968 to 1970 inclusive, in manufacturing industries, including the maintenance and repair of motor vehicles.

The information available does not enable us to classify prosecutions in the way requested. No prosecutions were completed in 1968: subsequent cases involving a conviction were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish a list of banking companies exempted from the requirements of the Protection of Depositors Act; and if he will make a statement on his policy on exemption.

Until 1st April, 1970, the banking companies exempted from the Protection of Depositors Act, 1963, were those recognised for the purposes of Schedule 8 to the Companies Act, 1948. A list of these companies has been published each year in the Companies General Annual Report. Since 1st April, 1970, the Department has been prepared to exempt other banking companies and for this purpose has regard to the standing of applicants—such as their appointment by the Treasury as authorised dealers for the purposes of the Exchange Control Act, 1947—over a period of years; their capital structure; and the nature of their business, which should include a wide range of banking services. The list in the Annual Report for 1970 will show all the exempted companies, including those which are not recognised for the purposes of Schedule 8.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the deferment of the construction of Sizewell E Nuclear Power Station.

I understand that the Central Electricity Generating Board has decided to defer for 12 months consideration of the placing of the main plant contracts for this power station because the Electricity Council's latest estimates of future demand for electricity and the plant needed to meet it do not justify starting work on the station this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for improving the level of industrial investment in Wales.

The Government's national and regional policies are designed to secure a sound basis for industrial investment, in all parts of the country, including Wales. No further changes in regional industrial policy are contemplated at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many factories there are under construction in Wales by the Welsh Industrial Estates Corporation.

Eight.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other Commonwealth countries about the creation of a world ocean regime for the area of ocean space beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.

International discussions are taking place in the enlarged United Nations Sea Bed Committee whose first session has just concluded in Geneva, where there has been close contact with Commonwealth delegations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give an assurance that as the next meeting of the European Free Trade Association this to be held in Reykjavik on 13th and 14th May, he will inform the countries of the Six at the negotiations to be held in Brussels on 11th May that Great Britain can give no definite answers until she has reported the negotiations to be held on 11th May to the European Free Trade Association meeting on 13th and 14th May.

No. There will, however, no doubt be full discussions at the E.F.T.A. meeting of the position reached by all E.F.T.A. members in their various negotiations and discussions with the Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in view of the recent rioting in Brussels over agricultural prices in the Common Market, he is satis- fled that our representative there or any British Minister visiting that city have adequate protection.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will appoint someone on the negotiating team for entry into the European Economic Community who has special knowledge of Scottish problems, particularly in view of the retirement of the Ambassador to the European Economic Community.

Those concerned in the negotiations for entry into the European Economic Community take fully into account the interests of all regions of the United Kingdom, including Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take in the light of the official statement by Mr. Deniau speaking on behalf of the European Commission that the delays in negotiating suitable terms for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community will prevent such entry taking place by January, 1973, thereby necessitating a renegotiation of all the matters which have been agreed to date.

I have no record of any statement to this effect. If the hon. Member will supply me with the basis of his information, I shall be happy to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent the present discussions of a 10 per cent. increase in the price of food in the Six to compensate the farmers of the Six for rising costs of agricultural production will affect Great Britain's terms and conditions of entry into the European Economic Community.

The effect of any changes in agricultural prices agreed in the Communities will be taken into account in the negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, following the most recent discussions with the European Economic Community Commission, Her Majesty's Government still stand by the assurances given to the Commonwealth Caribbean banana growers in 1967, confirmed in February, 1971, concerning safeguards for these producers on any terms for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave in answer to a supplementary question by my right hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton) on 22nd February.—[Vol. 812, c. 13–14.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the arrival in Jersey of a Member of the Rhodesian Parliament, Mr. Andre Holland, in view of the fact that he was on a mission to London concerning the Unilateral Declaration of Independence; and if he will explain the current policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the recognition and reception in the United Kingdom of Rhodesian emissaries.

The circumstances in which Mr. Holland was refused entry to Jersey are a matter for the Jersey authorities. He was not on an official mission The need for a policy on Rhodesian emissaries has not arisen since no such emissaries have been sent.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total sum paid in the last period of six months for which figures are available in respect of pensions to former colonial officers; and what adjustments, if any, have been made to the aid programme for the countries concerned.

Approximately £1 million in the period September, 1970, to February, 1971. There was no adjustment to the aid programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many wives, servants and diplomats were, on 30th June, 1970, entitled to claim diplomatic immunity whilst serving abroad, either wholly or in part; and how these figures compare with the end of February, 1971.

All members of the Diplomatic Service holding diplomatic appointments abroad would normally be entitled to some degree of diplomatic immunity. Their number on 30th June, 1970, was 3,044 and at the end of February, 1971, 3,001. Information on wives and servants is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with other partners in the World Bank as to the long-term needs of Pakistan in relation to reconstruction following the floods in November, 1970.

Britain has discussed with the representatives of other donor countries in Dacca, and with the Pakistan authorities and World Bank representatives, the implementation of the Pakistan Government's Reconstruction Programme for the devastated areas in East Pakistan. We have offered an interest-free loan of £2 million as a contribution to this programme; discussions with the Pakistan Government on its use are not yet concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with regard to the Agreement on Financial Assistance dated 21st September, 1964, Command Pape No. 3111, made between the Government of Malta and Her Majesty's Government, in which it is stated that Her Majesty's Government will make available to Malta a further £3 million after March, 1974, whether the said £3 million will be made available by way of grant or loan.

I assume that the hon. and learned Member is referring to the £3 million which will be made available, not under the 1964 Agreement, but as special assistance promised in 1968 in relation to the Malta Dockyard. Seventy-five per cent. is to be provided by way of grant and 25 per cent. as loan.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total cost to public funds of supplementary benefits to the families of those involved in the Ford strike.

To Tuesday, 23rd March, supplementary benefit payments for the dependants of persons involved in the dispute totalled £458,180.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much the purchasing power of the retirement pension for a single person and a married couple, respectively, has declined since the last increase in retirement pensions in November, 1969, and since 18th June, 1970, respectively.

As measured by the General Index of Retail Prices for February, 1971, the decline in purchasing power of retirement pensions, at November, 1969, and June, 1970, prices respectively is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now give an undertaking that the next increase in retirement pensions will include provision for a substantial increase in the living standards of such pensioners.

We shall fulfil our pledge to ensure that pensions at least maintain their purchasing power and that pensioners' living standards are properly protected.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware that myo-electric hands have been developed in Russia, Austria, Italy and in Germany which are all now in regular clinical use; if he will now take steps to make sure that British amputees, for whom myo-electric prehension devices are suitable, are enabled to enjoy the same benefits as those available to their counterparts in some European countries; and if he will make a statement.

A myo-electric hand which is at least the equal of any available overseas has been developed in this country. Nevertheless the value of such devices has yet to be proved and comparative trials of myo-electric and other forms of control are now in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much money, including that paid to contractors and that portion of the running costs of the Department's and Medical Research Council's establishments concerned, has been expended over the years in producing myo-electric arms; if he will list the places with details where such expenditure has been made; and if he will make a statement.

The Department has so far paid approximately £26,000 to the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment for developing myo-electric arms. A smaller amount has been paid to one contractor for the same purpose. Expenditure by Medical Research Council establishments is a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the appropriate statement regarding myo-electric hands from the Chief Medical Officer's Annual Reports for 1964 to 1969; how many patients have been fitted with this device on clinical trial; how many of these hands have been produced; how many patients have been fitted; and if he will make a statement.

The Chief Medical Officer's Report dealt with the evaluation of the Russian and the development of a British myo-electric hand. I am sending the hon. Member copies of the relevant extracts.Thirteen sets of myo-electric hands have been issued to patients for clinical trials; 12 sets have been produced in Britain and a further 10 will shortly become available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give an estimate of the amount of money spent on developing pneumatically powered hands and arms at public, charitable and commercial units; if he will give the details of direct and indirect costs involved at Medical Research Council and Government Research and Development Units since 1966; and if he will make a statement.

I am not aware of any expenditure on the separate development of pneumatically-powered hands in England and Wales. The central control hand/hook interchange system mentioned in the reply to the previous question will be equally applicable to pneumatic power. I will be writing to the hon. Member regarding pneumatically powered arms under the auspices of my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many examples of the Biomechanical Research and Development Unit design for pneumatically powered arms have been fitted to children for trial purposes and for home use; and if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of this design.

One pneumatically powered arm of Biomechanical Research and Development Unit design has been fitted to a child for trial purposes, but there has not yet been sufficient clinical experience to enable conclusions to be drawn about the effectiveness of this design.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he is aware that after approximately seven years' development of powered artificial arms for limb-deficient children, several dierent designs of such arms are fitted in Great Britain, but that in general a child attending any one centre will be fitted only with arms of the design produced or favoured by that centre; and if he will take steps to provide a greater choice;(2) why adequate arrangements have not been made for every limb-deficient child to be fitted with the design of arm most likely to satisfy his or her needs irrespective of the place of origin; and if he will make a statement.

In all cases the type of arm is fitted which, in the opinion of the child's clinicians, is most suitable for the particular deformity. The problems to be overcome in providing an adequate replacement for a normal arm are very great and development of powered artificial arms is continuous. Each of the systems developed in the various centres has merits, but it is not unreasonable to expect that a better service will be given to patients at any particular centre by using the system mainly developed there since, through familiarity with the system, a more eective training can be given. Nevertheless the Department actively encourages an exchange of information and of components, assemblies and control systems between the centres, and many arms issued incorporate desirable features evolved by a number of centres.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the direct and indirect costs of running the Biomechanical Research and Development Unit since its inception; if he will give a list of the practical designs which have been produced at this Centre; and if he will make a statement.

The total direct and indirect running cost has been about 733,600. Some of the more important practical designs which the Unit has produced relate to:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the appropriate statements regarding pneumatically powered arms designed at Biomechanical Research and Development United from the Chief Medical Officer's Annual Report for 1967, 1968 and 1969; to what extent he estimates that the Biomechanical Research and Development Unit device is ahead of the Edinburgh design; and if he will make a statement on comparative performance.

It is too early to make any meaningful comparison of performance.I am sending the hon. Member copies of extracts from the Chief Medical Officer's Reports to which he refers.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the study of the prosthetic, social and educational process of congenitally deformed children reported in the Annual Report, 1967 of the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health has been carried out; in what form the results have been published; what action has been taken; what other steps are now envisaged to ensure that the care provided for these children is adapted to their needs; and if he will make a statement.

The study of children cared for in the Children's Prosthetic Unit of Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton, has been carried out and competed, A final report is awaited, and the most suitable way of disseminating the results, especially to those caring for children with similar problems elsewhere, is under consideration. The study has shown that the highly specialised technical social and educational problems presented by these children make it desirable to continue giving specialised help to them when they return to their homes and it is intended that the unit will now provide this on a permenant basis. As the children enter adolescence their needs will change and how these can best be met is now being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what studies are being made into the arrangements for prosthetic research and development under the control of both his Department and the Medical Research Council; if he will inform Parliament of the recommendations of such an inquiry; and if he will indicate what action he expects to take in consequence.

The Health Departments and the Medical Research Council invited a group of experts to advise them on the existing arrangements in this field and any changes that might be desirable. Their report has recently been received and is under consideration. I will consider the question of an announcement in due course with my right hon. Friends.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the total cost to public funds of supplementary benefits payments to those involved in the recent Post Office Corporation strike, and their dependants, together with administrative costs incurred thereby.

The latest figures available are that during the dispute a total of £3,024,199 was paid for the dependants of persons involved in the dispute, and that 1,153 discretionary payments totalling £3,412 were made to persons involved in the dispute for their own requirements. In addition 25,690 payments amounting to £180,286 have been made to persons who have returned to work.I regret that administrative costs are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now take steps to appoint a Health Service ombudsman.

I cannot as yet add anything to my reply to the hon. Member on 2nd February.—[Vol. 810, c. 309.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) when the inter-Departmental study on the Royal College of Physicians' Report on Tobacco Smoking is expected to report;(2) whether, following the inter-Departmental study of the Royal College of Physicians' Report on Smoking, the opportunity will be given to outside bodies and organisations to give evidence and make representations;(3) what are the terms of reference of the inter-Departmental study on the Royal College of Physicians' Report on Smoking.

The object of the inter-Departmental discussions, which are being urgently pursued, is to enable officials to give comprehensive advice to Ministers on the implications of the Royal College of Physicians' Report. As is customary, this advice will not be published. It is always open to individuals and organisations to make their views known to the Departments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions have taken place between him and the County Councils Association and the Association of Municipal Corporations concerning the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.

My Department was in consultation with the Associations in connection with the circular of guidance issued on 17th August last, and the letter sent to their members by the Association on 17th March. In addition my right hon. Friend has himself in the last two months addressed meetings of members of the Associations on the importance of developing the personal social services including those for the chronically sick or disabled.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he intends to take as a result of the memorandum prepared by the County Councils Association and the Association of Municipal Corporations relating to the implementation of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970, a copy of which is in his possession.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the circular letter sent out by the Associations on 17th March. Copies of the letter have been sent to regional officers of the Supplementary Benefits Commission together with guidance on co-operation with authorities locally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research is being conducted into the production of a male birth-control pill; and if he will make a statement.

Research aimed at the production of a male contraceptive pill is going on, to a limited extent, in this country and elsewhere; but I am advised that there is no prospect of early practical developments.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many Commonwealth doctors came to practise in Great Britain in 1968, 1969 and in 1970.

The numbers of Commonwealth doctors who entered Great Britain with Category B employment vouchers were 986, 997, and 400 respectively. In addition, a number of doctors who came to the country as postgraduate students or working holiday makers entered practice, but figures in respect of them are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many disabled drivers there are in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively;(2) how many disabled drivers there are in the inner and outer London areas, respectively.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is, as a total, and broken down by offices, the number of men and the number of women on the Professional and Executive Register at the latest convenient date and a year previously, the number of men and women who at each date were over 45 years of age and over 60 years of age, and the number of placings by each officer during the year of those above and below 45 years of age and 60 years of age.

The number of men and women on the Register is provided in Table 1 below in respect of the position at 2nd December, 1970, the latest date for which final figures are available, and at 3rd December 1969. Information relating to the age of people on the Professional and Executive