asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further amendments he proposes to the Merchant Shipping (Pilot Ladders) Rules, 1965.

A Statutory Instrument about bulwark steps and hand-hold stanchions is already in draft. Further amendments which implement the recommendations of a working group and which concern the dimensions and construction of ladders will be the subject of a separate Statutory Instrument as soon as consultation has been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about quotas for the coming year for horticultural produce from Eastern Europe.

The annual quota talks with Eastern European countries were completed last week. Full details of the quotas for each country, including horticultural items, have been or are being published in Trade and Industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent Commonwealth countries have erected or increased tariffs against United Kingdom exports in the last 10 years.

This information is not available in the form requested. During this period most Commonwealth countries have given particular sectors of their industries additional protection against imports from all sources including the United Kingdom, either by adjusting their tariff or by other non-tariff measures. In the case of the developed countries this has often been compensated by relaxation of protection in other sectors.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent Commonwealth countries have erected or increased non-tariff barriers against United Kingdom exports in the last 10 years.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of opinion in British industry towards entry into the European Economic Community.

Taken as a whole, British industry is in favour of the United Kingdom entering the European Economic Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to seek to make an official tour of the European Economic Community capitals.

I have no plans to make an official tour of the capitals of the member States of the E.E.C. but I expect to visit most of the countries concerned during the course of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are his latest estimates of the increase in growth which would result from Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

The increase in growth cannot be estimated with any precision. It will depend largely on the response of British industry to the stimulus of the opportunity to compete on an equal footing in a greatly widened market.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates he has made of comparative distribution costs in the retail trade in the European Economic Community and Great Britain.

There are too many complex and varying factors to make such estimates worthwhile but I see no reason to suppose that the retail trades in the United Kingdom are not in general fully as efficient as those on the Continent.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are his latest estimates of the increase in trade between the United Kingdom and the European Economic Community which would result from the United Kingdom's entry into the European Economic Community on the terms so far envisaged.

I have no doubt that entry into the E.E.C. would lead to substantial increases in trade. I prefer, however, not to venture numerical estimates which could not be precise.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that the Council of the European Economic Community on 14th December, 1970, accepted the Commission's proposal for a five-year extension of state subsidies to the coal industry in order to guarantee coal production and aids for investment and improvement in safety standards; and to what extent he estimates a subsidy on Great Brtain's coal on the same basis would assist the industry, and assist Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; and whether he will consider introducing such subsidies.

I am aware of the decision authorising member countries of the Community to give aid to their coal industries to 1975. The Coal Industry Act, 1971, provides for further Exchequer assistance to the British coal industry up to March, 1974. This matter is not one that is likely to affect our application to join the Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that the European Economic Community non-reciprocal agreement with Iran on the entry into the Community of carpets at preferential tariff rates has been renewed; and how this will affect British carpet manufacturers on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community if these preferential tariffs are maintained against British manufacturers.

The Trade Agreement between the European Economic Community and Iran was prolonged for a further year in November, 1970. The effect of this Agreement is to provide for the temporary reduction of the Common Exter- nal Tariff on certain products of particular interest to Iran including knotted carpets. If the United Kingdom enters the European Economic Community the tariff on British-made carpets exported to the Six will be progressively reduced to zero over the transitional period.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent on the present known terms of Great Britain's possible entry into the European Economic Community antidumping orders on non-agricultural imports will be prevented or restricted.

Arrangements for the transitional period are under discussion. After the end of the transitional period, no anti-dumping orders would be made against other Member States, and orders against non-Member States would be made by the Council of the E.E.C. on the proposal of the Commission after investigation of complaints of materially injurious dumping submitted by Member States on the basis of applications from the industries concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the annual job requirement of the Northern Region in order to reduce unemployment.

No precise estimates are possible. The need for new employment opportunities in the Northern Region will, as in all regions, depend on the extent to which existing industry provides increased employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will replace Lord Melchett as Chairman of the British Steel Corporation and make an early announcement as to Lord Melchett's successor.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, when giving consideration to appointments as the next Chairmen of the Coal and Steel Boards, he will consider Mr. W. Paynter, Mr. M. Allen and Mr. George Woodcock.

I shall make an announcement about a successor to Lord Robens as soon as possible. The current term of office of the Chairman of the British Steel Corporation does not end until 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is yet in a position to say whom he has appointed to the chairmanship of the National Coal Board.

I shall make an announcement as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now make a statement on denationalisation of the steel industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the handing over to private interests of assets of the publicly-owned British Steel Corporation, particularly those in Corby, Northants.

I will announce my conclusion on the structure of the industry as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for an insurance scheme against the inability to remit profits from new permanent private investment in developing countries.

A scheme is under consideration and I hope to announce my conclusions soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evidence he has of the benefit to development areas of the Government Preferential Contract Scheme; and if he will take steps to ensure that firms can obtain full advantage from this scheme.

It is not possible to estimate how far the Contracts Preference Scheme has led to development area firms securing contracts which they would not otherwise have obtained. The Department takes steps to bring the scheme to the notice of development area firms.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to complete the checking and assessment of data derived from the Roskill Commission; and whether he intends to take evidence on regional factors before reaching his decision on the third London airport.

As to when the Government's review will be complete, I have nothing to add to what was said by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on 4th March. As to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given him by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 18th March.—[Vol. 812, c. 2071–8; Vol. 813, c. 397.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further assessments he has made over the need to build a four runway third London airport rather than expand existing airports in the provinces.

This possibility and all other matters relevant to the third London airport question are being studied by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representation he has received from British airline operators and aircraft manufacturers, to delay the decision on London's third airport until such time as it is possible to complete an evaluation of the latest developments in the application of short take-off and landing techniques to existing aircraft types.

British European Airways has asked that the decision be delayed for six months while the possibilities of RTOL (reduced take-off and landing) for short-haul operators are looked at further. This does not relate to take-off and landing techniques of existing types.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in the discussions with the Six on Euratom.

The Community delegation made a statement at the Brussels Conference on 26th and 27th January about the implications of the entry of United Kingdom into Euratom to which the United Kingdom delegation replied. A further statement is expected from the Six tomorrow.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in order to discourage differential trading and protect the consumer, he will consider introducing legislation similar to the United States Robinson-Patman Act, a copy of which is in his possession, and if he will make a statement.

No. The evidence suggests that such legislation would give rise to considerable anomalies and be unlikely to achieve the advantages intended by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the number of industrial development certificates so far issued in the Northern Region during 1971; and what was the number issued in the corresponding period in 1970.

In January and February, 1971, 17 industrial development certificates were issued for the Northern Region. The corresponding figure for 1970 is 48. Figures for March are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what he estimates will be the cash flow effect on private industry in the years 1970–71 and 1971–72 of the measures announced on 27th October, 1970, and of the decision to accelerate the payment of investment grants.

The additional liquidity in private industry during 1970–71 and 1971–72 is estimated to be £60 million and £81 million respectively as a result of the measures announced on 27th October, 1970. These figures exclude the additional assistance under the Local Employment Acts which cannot be closely estimated.The effect of accelerating investment grant payments, as announced on 26th February last, has been to bring forward into 1970–71 payments of about £40 million. The further effect on 1971–72 will depend on decisions not yet taken concerning the initial dates of acceptance and of payment of claims for particular periods of expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will issue general directions to the nationalised industries to expedite the settlement of their debts to private suppliers of goods and services.

No. Detailed commercial dealing of this kind between a nationalised industry and its suppliers are a matter for its own management.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what steps he proposes to take to effect a diminution in the nuisance and disturbance now being caused by aircraft from Heathrow over Horton, Buckinghamshire;(2) what steps he proposes to take to effect a diminution in the nuisance and disturbance now being caused by aircraft from Heathrow over Wraysbury, Buckinghamshire.

I regret to say that any such steps can only benefit Horton at Wraysbury's expense and vice versa if more densely populated areas elsewhere are not to suffer increased disturbance.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what application he has received from the Central Electricity Generating Board to import coal from overseas, including Australia.

As I announced on 3rd December, 1970, coal imports are on Open General Licence and no individual applications are required.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for stimulating industrial activity in the East Midlands generally and in the towns of Burton Latimer, Corby, Desborough, Kettering and Roth-well in particular.

The Government's policies are directed to encouraging profitable investment and so increasing industrial activity in the East Midlands and elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reply he has sent to the Scottish Trades Union Congress on the future development of the steel industry in Scotland.

At the recent meeting between the Scottish Trades Union Congress, the Prime Minister and other Members of the Government, the future of the steel industry in Scotland, amongst other things, was discussed. My right hon. Friend expressed his willingness to have further talks with them as need arose.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if recent announcements on contraction of manpower in the steel industry will affect consumption of coking coal; and what steps are being taken to restrict imports of coking coal.

The recently announced closures are not expected to have any significant effect on the steel industry's coking coal requirements. There is no need to restrict imports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek powers to enable the British Steel Corporation to acquire interests in steel stockholding.

No, the Corporation have such powers subject to my approval.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now introduce legislation to reinsure members of the public against loss occasioned by the failure of insurance companies.

No. I am, however, examining the adequacy of the controls applicable to insurers under the existing legislation. A review of this kind inevitably takes some time.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the increase in the price of petrol on the basis of administration of third-party motor insurance by a publicly-owned corporation and collection of the premiums as an additional charge on petrol and diesel fuel consumption.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has received the statistics required, following his discussions with the National Association of Glove Manufacturers, to enable him to take action to protect the leather glove industry in the south-west.

The effect of generalised preferences on this or on any other industry cannot be judged before the scheme operates.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table of figures giving the approximate percentage of the United Kingdom's banana requirements which are supplied by the Commonwealth Caribbean; what duty is payable on banana imports from non-Commonwealth countries; what quantitative restrictions are imposed upon bananas originating from non-dollar sources; and to what extent countries of the Six at present enjoy special tax and quota preferences.

Bananas imported from non-Commonwealth countries are subject to a tariff of £7·50 per ton. There are no quantitative restrictions on imports from sources outside the dollar area and

UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS OF FRESH BANANAS
('000 tons)
		1967	1968	1969	1970*
Total	…	347,703	340,327	351,108	330,306
of which from Caribbean Commonwealth countries	…	337,828	328,019	340,383	280,691
Percentage from Caribbean Commonwealth countries	…	97·2	96·4	96·9	84·9
* Provisional figures.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now make a further statement about the routes which he proposes to transfer from the British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways to Caledonian/British United Airways.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given earlier today to the Members for Nuneaton (Mr. Leslie Huckfield) and Ashton-under-Lyne (Mr. Sheldon).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what steps he proposes to take to ensure that his Department is kept informed of the passage of ships through the English Channel carrying hazardous cargoes other than petroleum products;(2) if he will now hold urgent discussions through the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation with a view to setting up an early warning system for any ship carrying hazardous cargoes other than petroleum products passing through the English Channel.

A number of British ports require advance warning of the arrival of vessels carrying certain dangerous goods. The development of an early warning system for ships carrying dangerous cargoes through the English Channel without calling at British ports would involve close co-operation of all countries whose ships ply in this international waterway. Discussions in the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications were made for industrial development certificates in Wales in March, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971, and of those granted what was the total estimated additional employment expected to arise from these projects.

Following is the information:Industrial development certificates approved in Wales are as follows:

March 1968	…	…	18	770
March 1969	…	…	31	3,560
March 1970	…	…	21†	900†
* Applicants' estimated of the additional employment expected to arise when the projects are complete and fully manned.
† Corrected figures.

No certificates were refused. I regret that the figures for March, 1971 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, following the discussions between the oil companies and the Governments of the oil producing countries, what is now his estimate of the cost of importing fuel oil, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, and petroleum products in the current year; what effect this will have on the United Kingdom's balance of payments in the current year; and what will be the change in the years to come.

It would be misleading to give estimates of the future total costs of our oil imports because these depend on so many variables such as rate of oil consumption and changing pattern of supplies. As regards additional costs the discussions referred to by my hon. Friend are not all concluded so their full effect cannot yet be assessed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the value and weight of fuel oil, petroleum, and petroleum pro-

OIL IMPORTS AND NET IMPORTS
		Petroleum (crude and partly refined)		Fuel Oil		Other Petroleum Products		Totals
Period		million tons	£million	million tons	£million	million tons	£million	million tons	£million
I Gross Imports*
1970 Q1	…	24·0	165·5	2·1	12·1	3·4	43·8	29·5	221·4
Q2	…	25·4	175·3	2·0	12·7	2·8	37·9	30·2	225·9
Q3	…	26·1	182·2	2·1	15·6	2·6	34·4	30·8	232·2
Q4	…	26·0	189·2	2·7	22·8	2·9	38·5	31·6	250·5
Year	…	101·5	712·2	8·9	63·2	11·7	154·6	122·1	930·0
1971 Q1 (estimate)†	…	25·0	200·0	3·0	24·0	3·8	50·0	31·8	274·0
II Net Imports* (negative figures represent net exports)
1970 Q1	…	23·8	164·0	-0·2	-0·9	1·0	13·3	24·6	176·4
Q2	…	25·1	173·1	0·2	2·5	0·9	12·5	26·2	188·1
Q3	…	25·6	178·9	0·3	5·0	0·2	3·9	26·1	187·8
Q4	…	25·7	186·4	0·8	10·5	0·2	3·0	26·7	199·9
Year	…	100·2	702·4	1·1	17·1	2·3	32·7	103·6	752·2
1971 Q1 (estimate)†	…	24·7	198·0	1·5	14·0	1·5	20·0	27·7	232·0
* Imports are valued cif and exports are valued fob. Net imports are the difference between imports and exports.
† Estimated on the basis of the actual imports and exports reported for January and February, 1971.
Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek powers to enable the nationalised industries to be granted exploration rights to bore for gas and oil, on land in the United Kingdom.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why all imports of Romanian oil into the United Kingdom are prohibited pending a settlement of outstanding British claims against Romania when there are outstanding claims against China and other East European countries with whom trade is carried on.

Imports of oil from any Eastern Area country are licenced only in exceptional circumstances. Licences

Following is the information:for Romanian oil can not be contemplated before a settlement has been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of the hovertrain; how much is being invested from public funds in the system; and with what measure of success.

Approval was given for investment of £3½ million by the National Research Development Corporation in Tracked Hovercraft Limited, which hopes to start testing experimental vehicles at intermediate speeds up to 150 m.p.h. this summer; the system is designed for eventual operation at 250 to 300 m.p.h.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take immediate steps to improve job opportunities in Swindon, in view of the increase of unemployment and the reduction of jobs available.

The employment situation in Swindon continues to be more favourable than in many parts of the United Kingdom. Subject to the priority given to the assisted areas, the Department will continue to grant industrial development certificates for reasonable expansion by local firms as well as for suitable schemes by firms wishing to move to Swindon from London.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the shipbuilding industry for its future development; and what reply he has given.

There are continuing discussions with the industry on a wide range of matters affecting its future development.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new industrial building has been proposed for Hartlepool since 18th June, 1970; what proposals he has for advance factories for Hartlepool; and how many inquiries for development have been received since the constituency was declared a special development area.

From 1st July, 1970, to 28th February, 1971, three industrial development certificates for 52,000 sq. ft. were issued in the Hartlepool and Hartlepool Headland employment exchange areas. Since they were given special development area status on 18th February, one inquiry about development has been received; but the advantages of Hartlepool now that it is a special development area have been brought to the attention of other firms which are known to be seeking additional premises for their expansion. I have no proposals for new advance factories for Hartlepool at present; the needs of the area will be borne in mind when further advance factory building is considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is satisfied with the steps taken by the Brewers Society to meet the criticism of the tied house system made by the Monopolies Commission.

To deal with the effects of the tied house system, the Monopolies Commission recommended a change in the licensing laws and we have set an inquiry in hand. I hope that in the interim the steps taken by the Brewers' Society will lead to some improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has completed his study of the Report of the Welsh Council on Investment Incentives; which recommendations he proposes to accept; and whether he will give his reasons for rejecting any of the proposals made.

The Government are studying the Report. As my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales told the right hon. Gentleman on 29th March, a reply will be sent to the Welsh Council in due course.—[Vol. 814, c. 1143–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what value of British overseas trade was carried in Soviet ships in 1965 and 1970, respectively.

£103 million and approximately £165 million, representing in each year just under 1 per cent. of the total value of British overseas trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to make a reference of a monopoly to the Monopolies Commission.

I referred the supply and export of wire and fibre ropes to the Commission on 23rd March. I expect to make further references soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive from the Monopolies Commission its first proposals for references of monopolies.

The Commission is free to put forward such proposals at any time.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether Her Majesty's Government intend to generalise preferences hitherto given to developing Commonwealth countries in advance of corresponding action by all other developed countries and irrespective of the wishes of other Commonwealth countries; and what assessment has been made of the balance of economic advantage to the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries of such generalisation of preferences.

In deciding when to implement our scheme we shall have regard to the actions of other Governments. The Commonwealth developing countries participated in the agreement reached at U.N.C.T.A.D. and should gain from duty-free access to other main markets. The increased flow of trade resulting from U.N.C.T.A.D. preferences should bring benefit to the developed countries, including the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent preferences have now been generalised; and what discussions on such generalisation are being, and have been, held with the French, Commonwealth and other Governments.

Duty-free entry on manufactured goods (other than textiles), semi-manufactures and certain agricultural products will be open to non-Commonwealth developing countries. We have had full discussions with the Commonwealth and with other developed countries including the EE.C., whose U.N.C.T.A.D. preferences will be granted to Commonwealth developing countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will re-allocate licences for the import of apples to enable manufac- turers of toffee apples to import suitable apples, so as to allow them to continue producing toffee apples during the summer months.

No. I can see no justification for setting aside part of the global quotas for imports by particular classes of processors such as manufacturers of toffee apples.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what, by value, are the 10 major exports from the United Kingdom to the Irish Republic, and vice versa; and if he will make a statement.

Exports from the United Kingdom are mainly engineering and other manufactured goods; exports from the Irish Republic are mainly agricultural produce.Following is the information for the year 1970:

EXPORTS FROM UNITED KINGDOM TO THE IRISH REPUBLIC
SITC(R)
Division		£ million
71	Machinery, other than electric	55
66	Non-metallic mineral manufactures	32
73	Transport equipment	31
65	Textile yarns, fabrics etc.	27
72	Electrical machinery and appliances	20
33	Petroleum and petroleum products	19
69	Metal manufactures "not elsewhere specified"	18
00	Live animals	17*
67	Iron and steel	13
58	Plastic materials	10

EXPORTS FROM IRISH REPUBLIC TO THE UNITED KINGDOM
SITC(R)
Division		£ million
00	Live animals	53*
01	Meat	50
02	Dairy products and eggs	21
65	Textile yarns, fabrics etc.	20
82	Clothing and footwear	17
07	Cocoa and chocolate preparations	8
11	Beverages	8
72	Electrical machinery and appliances	8
61	Leather and manufactures	6
05	Fruit and Vegetables	5
* Includes horses temporarily exported for racing.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the quota for jute imports.

We hope to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the meeting held between employers and trade leaders of the paper and board industry and officials of his Department on 24th March.

As I said in my reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Gravesend (Mr. Roger White), I am urgently considering the representations made at this meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce legislation to extend the protection of the Sale of Goods Act to cover all sales and provide a parallel protection for services and repairs.

I recognise the desirability of early legislation to restrain exclusion of the conditions implied by the Sale of Goods Act. Exclusion of liability in respect of services and repairs is a separate issue, on which we await the advice of the Law Commissions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals his Department has for helping to bring additional industry to Caldercruix, Lanarkshire, in view of the proposed closure of Craig's Paper Mills.

I am aware of the position of this mill and of the general situation in the district. It is within the new West Central Scotland special development area where the additional benefits to attract industry announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 18th February are now available. We will continue to do everything possible to encourage suitable industrialists to take advantage of the various facilities available in North Lanarkshire.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware of the disadvantages of the Local Employment Act as used to promote the tourist industry, and, in view of the urgency, why the hon. Member for Tynemouth has not received an answer by 31st March to her letter on this subject.

The letter was dated 23rd March, 1971, and addressed in the first instance to the Secretary of State for the Environment. I replied to my hon. Friend this morning.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will specify for the longest and most convenient period of time since 18th June, 1970, actions that he has taken to reduce the prices of any goods and services which fall within the control of his Department, or for which he has to give Ministerial approval.

The prices and charges for which I have responsibility are kept under constant review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total number of companies registered with the Registrar of Companies at the latest date for which this information is available.

559,497 at 31st December, 1970, of which approximately 35,000 were in liquidation or course of removal from the registers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies are awaiting registration at the present time.

Approximately 335.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the number of new company registrations in each of the last 10 years.

1961, 33,645; 1962, 34,852; 1963, 42,173; 1964, 48,315; 1965, 36,315; 1966, 28,256; 1967, 31,292; 1968, 20,654; 1969, 25,154; 1970, 30,262.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the number of limited companies that has sought to become unlimited under the terms of the Companies Act, 1967 in each year since the Act became effective.

156, 2,126, 387 and 94 limited companies re-registered as unlimited in 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970 respectively.

	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970
Wound up voluntarily	5,037	6,444	6,736	6,998	6,500
Struck off under section 353 of the Companies Act 1948	6,335	11,289	30,480	18,725	17,151
Removed for other reasons	13	18	28	28	99
Total	11,385	17,751	37,244	25,751	23,750

The companies struck off under Section 353 were companies which the registrars had reasonable cause to believe were not carrying on business or in operation. In approximately 5 per cent, of the cases the reason was that the company had been fully wound up compulsorily.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of concern among farmers at the development of a national fertiliser monopoly, he will consider referring this industry to the Monopolies Commission.

The Commission reported on this industry in 1960. I see no need at present for a further reference in the light of developments in the market since then.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many investment projects previously planned for development regions have now been cancelled since the announcement of the ending of investment grants, and how many companies have signified their intention to cancel investment projects according to the latest information available to his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Since 27th October, 1970, 26 firms have told us that for one reason or another they are not going ahead with projects in the development areas. In only two cases is the decision alleged to be solely due to the changes in investment incentives.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the number of limited companies struck off by the Registrar in each of the last five years; and if he will distinguish between liquidations, failure to register particulars, and any other reasons.

The following numbers of companies were removed from the registers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether he will ask holders of licences for the import of apples to import minimum quantities of apples suitable for the manufacture of toffee apples during the summer months;(2) when he proposes to re-allocate licences for the import of apples in such a way as to enable applicants who have not previously held a licence or imported apples to be given a share of the import quota.

The global quotas for apples were redistributed in 1967 and 1969 to allow for changes in the pattern of the import trade. I can see no adequate grounds at present for a further reallocation or for asking importers to give special preference to particular classes of users, such as manufacturers of toffee apples.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) on what evidence the provisional anti-dumping levy of £2 per hundredweight on imported French broccoli, imposed on 10th March, 1971, was lifted on 26th March, 1971;(2) whether he will institute an immediate investigation and report on

A full investigation of the application for an anti-dumping duty was made by my officials. They inspected the books and accounts of 11 French exporters who between them accounted for more than half the French exports. A considerable amount of information was also obtained from other sources. This investigation established that by far the greater proportion of cauliflowers imported from France were not dumped and that the proportion dumped, and the margins of dumping found on that proportion, were not of such significance as to cause or threaten material injury to the United Kingdom industry. Consequently, the provisional charge was revoked.The information supplied by the hon. Member would not justify a further investigation. My decision on this case was reached after all the freight, sales, handling costs and duties applicable had been deducted from both the domestic prices and the export prices to the United Kingdom and both prices thus reduced to the net prices received by the merchants. The provisional anti-dumping charges are not taken into account unless they are retained in payment of antidumping duties subsequently imposed. In this instance the charge was refunded and must, therefore, be left out of the calculations.The wholesale prices of home-grown cauliflowers and broccoli rose during March and, in the three weeks ending 31st March, were at about the same level as in the corresponding period of 1969 and 1970.I am not at present persuaded that any other action is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in formu- lating a code of practice for regulating shipping conferences, as agreed by maritime governments of the Consultative Shipping Group.

Governments of the 12 maritime countries represented at the meeting of Ministers in Tokyo on 2nd-3rd February requested their ship-owners to elaborate the details of a code of conference practice in consultation with their shippers and to present them to the governments, for further consideration, before the end of 1971. When a code has been approved by governments, the ship-owners will be recommended to work for its adoption in conferences of which they are members. I understand that the ship-owners are making progress in formulating the details of such a code.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what firms have notified to him redundancies within the Merseyside Development Area since 18th June, 1970; and how many redundancies were involved in each case.

Redundancies are normally notified by employers to the Department of Employment. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment has advised me that he would not feel justified in publishing information provided for official use.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the countries from which coal has been purchased since the lifting of the ban on coal imports.

Yes: Australia, Belgium, the Irish Republic, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Africa, the United States of America and West Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total tonnage of coal imported into the United Kingdom since the lifting of the ban on coal imports.

Between December, 1970, the month in which the present arrangements were introduced, and 28th February, 1971, imports of coal totalled 631,000 tons. Figures for March are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make an official visit to Livingston new town.

I am hoping to visit Scotland before long and I will bear Livingston in mind when drawing up my programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the latest position in the negotiations for the inclusion of Hong Kong in the United Nations Commission for Trade and Development generalised preference scheme.

Discussions on this question are continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he can now give a precise date for publication of the inspector's report on Pinnock Finance.

No, but I hope that the report will be published within the next two months.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the percentage increase in United Kingdom exports to the other member countries of the European Free Trade Association since the inception of that organisation.

144 per cent. or 9½ per cent. per annum, measured in dollar terms, between 1960 and 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish estimates of the United Kingdom share of world trade in total and in manufactures.

Provisional estimates for 1970 are 7·1 per cent. and 10·8 per cent. respectively, measured in terms of exports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he now has for changes in the law relating to insurance.

I am examining the adequacy of the controls applicable to insurers under the existing legislation. A review of this kind inevitably takes some time.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the level of voluntary and compulsory liquidation during the first quarter of 1971; and how this figure compares with that for each quarter in 1970.

Following is the information:Full figures for voluntary and compulsory liquidations during the first quarter of 1971 are not yet available. The information available is:

	Compulsory Liquidations	Voluntary Liquidations
		Creditors'	Members'
1971
January	95	130	358
February	101	128	244
March	N/A*	N/A*	N/A*
1970
1st quarter	318	663	1,146
2nd quarter	339	627	1,239
3rd quarter	169	575	1,144
4th quarter	443	555	1,138
Total for 1970	1,269	2,420	4,667
* N/A = Not available

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made, with the assisstance of his Department, in obtaining international acceptance of the uniform systems of shoe sizing developed by the Shoe and Allied Trades Association of Kettering.

The system has been accepted in principle as the basis for an international system which is being worked out by the International Standards Organisation. Discussions are still continuing regarding the details.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what requsts he has received from the National Coal Board to make available technical and scientific experience from within his Department to assist in an active investigation into the possibility of siting oil from coal plants in British coalfields.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why, in view of the Government's declared policy of controlling and reducing prices generally and in the public sector in particular, he has taken legislative action to ensure an 11 per cent, increase in airline fares; and whether he will make a statement.

For the reasons in the Commissioner's Report, a copy of which I am placing in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give, for the latest and most convenient stated date and period of time, the volume and cost of imports into Great Britain of coffee and brandy, respectively.

Figures are published in Tables III and IV of the monthly Overseas Trade Statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to give incentives to trade and industry with a view to lessening the fire losses at present falling directly or indirectly on the British economy.

All plant and machinery provided for the purpose of protection against fire will qualify for capital allowances as announced on 26th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has yet received the views of the Domestic Coal Consumers Council on the approach made to them by the Coal Board for different percentage increases for different types of coal; and whether, in view of the Government's declared policy of reducing prices in general, and costs and services of nationalised industries in particular, he will refuse to grant permission for any price increase in domestic coal.

I will of course take into account all relevant matters when considering the Council's views, which I have not yet received.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he is now in a position to name the new Chairman of the Post Office Board.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Molloy), on 15th March.—[Vol. 813, c. 888–889.]

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will consider appointing Mr. George Woodcock to the chairmanship of the Post Office Board.

I will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will seek to repeal Section 9 of the Post Office Act, 1969, so that the public can be protected in future from strike action.

No.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what plans he has for introducing an experimental private postal service, in view of the recent breakdown of the Post Office's monopoly service.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will permit private enterprise competition in the carriage of mails, on strict conditions and for an experimental period.

I have no present intention of proposing alterations to the letter mail monopoly, even on an experimental basis, although this issue among others will be considered during the review of the future shape of the postal services which I am undertaking in conjunction with the Post Office.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will issue a general direction to the Post Office instructing it to negotiate for the sale of advertising space on the reverse side of postage stamps.

No. This would not be an appropriate use of my powers.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what consideration he has now given to the denationalisation of the telephone and other Post Office services; and whether he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to my replies to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, East (Mr. William Clark) on 12th March and to the hon. Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Leslie Huck-field) on 15th February.—[Vol. 813, c. 189–90; Vol. 811, c. 1178–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the approximate global value of all defence aid by the United Kingdom to South-East Asia since June, 1970.

Approximately £6·3 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the substance of French protests relating to anti-dumping levy on broccoli conveyed through Her Majesty's ambassador in Paris; in how many messages these protests were contained; and from whom, specifically, these complaints emanated.

Representations were received from the French Government, the details of which are confidential but whose substance was to the effect that no dumping of French cauliflowers had been taking place.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why Her Majesty's Government do not propose to negotiate a deal with the five non-French members of the Six, do not propose to make a bid for special West German support, and do not propose to put pressure on France to facilitate United Kingdom entry into the European Economic Community.

While we have had and will continue to have valuable bilateral contacts with governments of the Six, Her Majesty's Government is negotiating with the European Communities as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent the proposed 10 per cent. increase in prices in the European Economic Community and the official statement by the Commission that if Great Britain entered the European Economic Community on 1st January, 1973, on any known terms, Great Britain would have to face increases of 25 per cent. to 30 per cent. for grain, 60 per cent. for milk, used in dairy industries and 70 per cent. for beef, will affect Her Majesty's Government's proposals to seek entry to the European Economic Community; and whether he will make a statement.

The effect of the changes in certain agricultural prices for the year 1971–72, recently agreed by the European Economic Community Council of Ministers, will be taken into account in the negotiations. I am not aware of any official statement by the European Economic Commission of the kind described.

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 and the resulting loss of life, he will, on his visit in May for discussions on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, take extra steps to ensure the protection of himself and his advisers.