asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he intends to take to establish a trade office in the German Democratic Republic.

In the absence of recognition it would be inappropriate for the Government to establish an official trade office in the German Democratic Republic: but Her Majesty's Government have made it clear to those concerned that they have no objection to the establishment of a trade bureau by private British commercial interests doing business with East Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has now received an approach, official or unofficial, from the regime in Rhodesia.

I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Rose) on 22nd April, to which I have nothing to add.—[Vol. 815, c. 1362.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now make a statement about the negotiations with the illegal government in Rhodesia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's present contacts with the illegal Rhodesian régime.

I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Rose) on 22nd April, to which I have nothing to add.—[Vol. 815, c. 1362.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons are now detained and restricted in Rhodesia under emergency powers; and how many were so detained and restricted at the time of the unilateral declaration of independence.

According to a Rhodesian statement there were on 18th March, 1971, 113 people detained under "Ministerial" Order. On 13th November, 1970 there were two people in restriction.For the number of detainees and restrictees at the time of the illegal declaration of independence I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary gave to his Question on 15th January, 1971.—[Vol. 809, c. 149–50.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the percentage rate of growth of the Rhodesian economy in each of the years since the unilateral declaration of independence.

The following table based on the régime's latest published figures shows that although, at constant prices, there was a 16·3 per cent. increase in the gross national product between 1965 and 1969, real income per head, taking into account the population increase, showed little change over the period.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give statistics of Africans employed and unemployed, respectively, in Rhodesia in each of the years since the unilateral declaration of independence; and what proportion of such Africans was non-Rhodesians from Malawi, Zambia or other foreign territories.

Rhodesian sources give the following figures for annual average African employment in the years following the illegal declaration of independence:—

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the preparation of authentic English texts of the treaties establishing the European Communities.

The preparation with the Communities of the authentic English text of the Treaty of Rome has just been completed. The preparation with the Communities of the authentic texts of the European Coal and Steel Community and Euratom Treaties and of related instruments is in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is planning to visit the capitals of the Six to investigate the possibility of speeding up the negotiations.

I have already visited all capitals of the Six in connection with the negotiations. I have no immediate plans to make further visits but am in regular contact With Ministers of Community countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he now proposes to ask the Six for additional Ministerial meetings during the first half of 1971 in order to speed up the completion of the negotiations.

The Community has agreed that the Ministerial meeting scheduled for 11th May should be extended to include also the afternoon of 12th May and that a further meeting might be arranged later.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is still the policy of Her Majesty's Government that Great Britain will not join the European Economic Community unless full and satisfactory safeguards can be negotiated for the Commonwealth and the European Free Trade Association, and for British agriculture and horticulture.

Her Majesty's Government's negotiating position was set out in my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement of 30th June. There has been no change in this position.—[Cmnd. 4401.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now arrange to publish a White Paper setting out the up-to-date legal and political implications for the United Kingdom in signing the Treaty of Rome.

Her Majesty's Government have no plans to publish further White Papers at the present stage in the negotiations with the European Communities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the United Kingdom will require the formal agreement of its European Free Trade Association partners before joining the European Economic Community.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many developing Commonwealth countries will be associated with or linked with the European Economic Community, after the United Kingdom becomes a member of the Community.

Association agreements are in force between the Community and Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and with Malta. Cyprus is negotiating a trading agreement with the Community. All Commonwealth African countries have been offered association or other trading arrangements by the Communities. We have asked that this offer should be extended to independent Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean and in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The number of developing Commonwealth countries to be linked with the European Economic Community will depend upon the outcome of the remaining negotiations and the decisions taken by the countries themselves on the options offered by the Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place with the European Economic Commission about the political development of the Common Market.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the number of Commonwealth countries which already have direct trading links with the European Economic Community or which will seek such links if the United Kingdom joins the Community.

All Commonwealth countries have trading relations with the European Economic Community. In addition, association agreements are in force between the Community and Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and with Malta. Formal trade arrangements with regard to certain commodities exist between the European Economic Community and India and Pakistan. Cyprus has had talks with the Community with a view to establishing a trade agreement. All the Commonwealth African countries have been offered association or some other trading arrangement, in the context of the enlargement negotiations. We have asked that this offer should also be extended to other Commonwealth countries, notably in the Caribbean, the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government in the course of negotiations with the European Economic Community, in view of the severe restriction in production announced by the home newsprint manufacturers to ensure the continued free entry into the United Kingdom of the traditional supplies from Canada and other countries.

The Community has arrangements which permit the importation of 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 Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations lie has made to his colleagues in the member States of the European Economic Community in support of the British Government's proposals on Community finance in the negotiations at Brussels.

Our proposals on Britain's contribution to Community finance have been discussed with all member governments of the European Economic Community, but we are negotiating with the Communities as a whole and look to the negotiating conference for progress on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he proposes to increase the number of meetings of Deputies scheduled for the first half of 1971 in order to speed up progress in the negotiations for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

Meetings of Deputies take place regularly to prepare for Ministerial meetings. There will be further meetings of the Deputies on 28th April and 4th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the negotiations for British entry into the European Economic Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the progress of the negotiations for Great Britain to join the European Economic Community.

I have at present nothing to add to my statement of 18th March.—[Vol. 813, c. 1659–1662.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the European Economic Community is expected to take a decision on whether professional footballers would be entitled to benefits of the Treaty of Rome on free movement of labour.

The European Economic Community has considered the case of footballers in relation to its provisions on freedom of movement of labour only in general terms. The Community has said that if any footballer who is a national of a Member State alleges discrimination against him in seeking employment in another Member State his case may be decided in the light of Community legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government proposes to make known its position on the Common Fisheries Policy on the European Economic Community.

We have reserved our position with the Communities. Beyond this I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Gentleman by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 30th March.—[Vol. 814, c. 334.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has stated to the member countries of the European Economic Community that Great Britain would not, if a member of the Community, apply a value-added tax to food.

No. At present Member States of the European Economic Community are free to decide the coverage of their individual value-added taxes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the European Economic Community would now, in the event of British membership, continue to recognise the preferential right of access to the United Kingdom market of bananas from Jamaica and the Windward Islands, for an unlimited period.

The European Economic Community have no common banana policy and bananas have not been discussed in the negotiations. We recognise, however, that special arrangements will be necessary. We would expect, in the event of their association with the Community, the banana producers in the Associated States and the other Commonwealth Caribbean countries to be given treatment no less favourable than that which members of the Community now afford to their traditional suppliers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, sent under date of 10th April, 1971, regarding the Sicco Mansholt plan considered in March by the European Economic Community; how this will affect Great Britain's entry to, or the British situation after, entry into the Common Market; and whether he will make a statement.

We have received no communication from the hon. Member about the Mansholt Plan. I answered a Question on the effect of the Mansholt Plan, if adopted, on 22nd February.—[Vol. 812, c. 9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that on any known conditions for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, New Zealand's present exports of 170,000 tons of butter, 750,000 tons of cheese, and 300,000 tons of lamb per annum, to Great Britain will be adversely affected; and what further safeguards he proposes to seek in the negotiations to secure trade between Great Britain and New Zealand.

As regards New Zealand's exports of dairy products, we have tabled proposals asking for some form of continuing arrangements, subject to review. The Community has not yet responded to these proposals which we regard as those most calculated to provide a satisfactory solution. We have explained to the Community the dependence of New Zealand on the British market for its exports of lamb. Provided the Communities do not introduce a sheepmeat regulation unfavourable to New Zealand which might cause us to re-open the matter, we see no difficulty about New Zealand's exports of meat.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he has received the official statement issued by the New Zealand Government entitled "Britain, New Zealand, and the European Economic Community", a copy of which has been sent to him; what official reply he has sent to the Government of New Zealand on this statement; and whether, when circulating documents at post offices on matters concerning Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community he will take the necessary action to supply copies of this statement to post offices;(2) whether he will seek to obtain from the New Zealand Government copies of their official statement entitled "Britain, New Zealand and the European Economic Community", and arrange to circulate them to each Member of both Houses of Parliament.

I have received from the hon. Member a copy of the publication referred to. We have had no request from the New Zealand Government for comment on the publication. Its circulation is a matter for the New Zealand authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he will not seek to arrange with other applicant countries for membership of the European Economic Community an international referendum on entry, when the terms are known, for the guidance of the respective national parliaments.

The result in an international referendum would not necessarily be relevant to the decision in any individual applicant country. In arriving at a decision on terms agreed in the negotiations with the European Communities we will follow established constitutional processes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, sent under date of 10th April, 1971, regarding various matters concerning the European Economic Community's budget payments issue; and whether he will make a statement in connection therewith.

I have received the communication to which the hon. Member refers. Her Majesty's Government is negotiating with the European Communities and not with individual member governments. Valuable bilateral contacts with governments of the Six will continue, but we seek to resolve the question of Britain's contribution to the Community budget in the negotiating conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that the French representatives in Brussels are anxious to postpone the European Economic Community negotiations for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community from 11th-12th May until later in the year; and, as there is a need for more discussions to take place in Great Britain on questions affecting the British Commonwealth, whether he will support the French in their approach for a postponement of talks until the autumn.

Her Majesty's Government is negotiating with the Communities and not with individual member governments. The Communities have not suggested to us the postponement of any meeting or postponement of discussions. The agreement in March that Ministers should meet for a longer period in May reflects the view of the negotiating conference that real progress should be possible at that time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he will put before the European Economic Community negotiating meeting to be held on 11th May; and whether he will make a statement.

Proposals to be made at the negotiating meeting with the European Economic Community on 11th May must remain confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why, during Great Britain's negotiations with the European Economic Community on possible terms of entry, he will not request the countries of the Six to contribute towards the costs of protection of the sea routes from the Far East and round the Cape of Good Hope, which are now being borne by British public funds.

The protection of sea routes is not a matter which arises in the negotiations for Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is now able to make a statement on the results of his study of the implications of the draft directives for the British insurance industry, as proposed by the Commission of the European Economic Community, and his consultations with British insurers concerning the same.

No. We are still studying the drafts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that since Her Majesty's Government has started negotiations for entry into the European Economic Community, unemployment in Great Britain has risen to 814,000, and, as under any terms or conditions of entry migrants from each of the countries of the Six will be enabled to come to the United Kingdom and take jobs, with a preference over British Commonwealth citizens, he will, in the light of the changed circumstances resulting from growing unemployment, advise our negotiators to Brussels not to accept interchangeability of labour as one of the conditions of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

Her Majesty's Government sees no reason to vary its policy in relation to the provisions on free movement of labour in the Treaty of Rome and Community legislation. Already the high wages and opportunities offered in the European Economic Community are attracting workers from the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent under the present or proposed Common Market tobacco policies cigars will be cheaper in Great Britain on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community on present known terms.

It would be premature to formulate estimates before all the relevant proposals have been considered by the European Economic Community Council of Ministers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has now received from Commonwealth Governments concerning the Immigration Bill: and if he will now make a statement.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in setting up an Overseas Diplomatic Estates Board as recommended by the Duncan Committee.

The matter is still under consideration. Regrettably, progress has been slow but the recommendation made by the Duncan Committee has demanded long and careful study.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on why a ban has been imposed on Lady Crawford, wife of Sir Frederick Crawford, former Governor of Uganda, from visiting Sunderland for a family ship-launching.

Lady Crawford is subject to travel restrictions imposed in 1968 to meet obligations under a Mandatory Security Council Resolution. We have agreed to Lady Crawford's request to come to this country for specialist medical treatment and for compassionate family reasons.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will ask the Government of the Irish Republic to provide information about casualties from Northern Ireland entering hospitals in the Republic.

There already exists procedures for dealing with those wanted on criminal charges.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of his proposed visit to the United Arab Republic, he has now agreed with the Israel Government upon a date when he will visit Israel.

Not yet.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to officials either of the Commission of the European Economic Community or of its member countries with respect to the leakages of information about Her Majesty's Government's reply to the questionnaire on the future rôle of sterling.

We have made it clear that we expect these matters to be treated in absolute confidence and are collaborating with member governments of the Communities to ensure this.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to encourage the project for an oil pipeline between Iran and Iskanderoun, in Turkey, in view of the importance of such a supply for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the Central Treaty Organisation.

None. This project is primarily the concern of the two govern- ments in question and of the oil companies and is still at the planning stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to improve the social services of Hong Kong.

There is a constant exchange of views between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Hong Kong and my visit last year was part of that contact. The momentum of development is being maintained and increased attention is being given to technical education, employment opportunities and public assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made to the Government of Zambia to secure no less favourable treatment for United Kingdom citizens in respect of terms and conditions of entry, registration, residence, employment, settlement and voting rights than that accorded Zambian citizens in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made to the Government of Tanzania to secure no less favourable treatment for United Kingdom citizens in respect of terms and conditions of entry, registration, residence, employment, settlement and voting rights than that accorded to Tanzanian citizens in the United Kingdom.

None. We accept that all Sovereign countries, like ourselves, have the sole right to determine who they should admit and on what terms.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to carry out the recommendations made to him in Lord Denning's Report on the banana dispute between Jamaica and Fyffes.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to the Members for Lewisham, North (Mr. Moyle) and Sheffield, Hillsborough (Mr. Darling).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current position in Sierra Leone in so far as British interests are concerned.

Sierra Leone became a Republic on 19th April. Neither this change of status nor disturbances in Freetown in March have had any adverse effect on British interests in Sierra Leone

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made to the Government of Ceylon to secure no less favourable treatment for United Kingdom citizens in respect of terms and conditions of entry, registration, residence, employment, settlement and voting rights than that accorded to Ceylonese citizens in the United Kingdom.

None. We accept that all Sovereign countries, like ourselves, have the sole right to determine who they should admit and on what terms.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of how many international bodies the United Kingdom Government is a member, and how many of them have their headquarters in London.

The United Kingdom Government is a permanent member of 89 international organisations. Sixteen of these, of which six are Commonwealth organisations, have their headquarters in London.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official functions and duties he has arranged for Saturday, 5th June.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, as he makes a £7,500 per annum grant-in-aid to the European Movement, he will arrange to make a similar grant to the Common Market Safeguards Committee.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give details of the official meeting between the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Common Market Safeguards Committee on 14th December, 1970.

I met representatives of the Campaign for Common Market Safeguards in the House on 15th December. I delivered a short statement dealing with their main points and answered their questions. The meeting was in no way confidential and was reported in the Press at the time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, as the Japanese have an economy with a growth rate of 13 per cent., being more than double that of the European Economic Community, he will initiate discussions with the Government of Japan for a Common Market agreement with that country.

No. The Community has begun discussions with the Government of Japan. If the negotiations are successful and we join the European Economic Community we shall be able to play our part in formulating the relationship between Japan and the enlarged Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, as Her Majesty's Government make grants in aid to the European Movement for assisting in propaganda work to facilitate Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, he will make a similar grant available to the Democratic Party.

No request for a Grant-in-Aid has been received from the Democratic Party.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will support the application for membership of the World Health Organisation by the German Democratic Republic on 4th May.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will take the necessary action to arrange for Great Britain's official diplomatic missions in Peking to be raised to a full ambassadorial and embassy status on a reciprocity basis with Chinese ambassadorial representation in London.

Her Majesty's Government are in favour of an unconditional exchange of Ambassadors with China. Their views on this question were first made known to the Chinese Government in 1950 and have been repeated on many occasions since then. The Chinese have themselves raised various conditions before such an exchange could take place.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he will not cease the present practice whereby his Department keep under constant review the prices and charges to enable him to show from month to month to what extent since June, 1970 the Government's policy of reducing prices and costs is operating so far as it affects his departmental responsibilities; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his Question on 2nd April.—[Vol. 814, c. 451.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his meeting with the Council of the Western European Union and his discussions with Netherlands Ministers, including Dr. Luns, held in The Hague on Monday, 19th April, 1971.

Proceedings in the Western European Union Council are confidential but I can state that there was a marked convergence of views on most issues. In my meetings with Netherlands Ministers, we discussed questions relating to the European Economic Community enlargement negotiations. Details of these discussions are also confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an account of the work during 1970–71 of promoting research and development for the benefit of developing countries referred to in Supply Estimates, Class II, Vote 6, Subhead E; and what is the programme for 1971–72.

The purpose of work under this subhead is to gather new knowledge and, by improving techniques, to overcome the problems which impede development. It is planned on a worldwide basis outside the priorities of particular countries or regions, and it covers many disciplines. Agricultural, medical and animal health research have the largest individual shares, but research into fisheries, pesticides and economic and social subjects is also included. There is close co-operation with learned institutions in this country and elsewhere.The programme for 1971–72 will be along the same lines.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will make a statement on the shortfall on planned expenditure on overseas aid in the financial year 1970–71.

I hope I can give a provisional figure next month. The final figure will not be available until later.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an assurance that no part of the defence aid given to Zambia in recent years has been used to train so-called freedom fighters for operations against Rhodesia.

The defence aid grant given to Zambia has been used for the purchase of defence equipment from the United Kingdom for use by the Zambian forces. I have no reason to suppose that the equipment so obtained has been used for the purpose my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will investigate the reasons for the delays in telephone inquiries at the Passport Office, and the reason for the queues at this office, including that for making inquiries.

The Passport Office has a very busy switchboard and occasionally all 25 lines become engaged. I am investigating whether the traffic warrants additional lines.The majority of callers visit the Passport Office during the lunch period when despite the opening of extra positions some queuing is unavoidable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has demanded full compensation from the Eire Government for the loss of the two Royal Navy launches which were destroyed by the Irish Republican Army in Baltimore, County Cork; and whether he will make the strongest possible protest to the Eire Government for this attack on British boats.

The Government of the Irish Republic have already expressed their regrets about the incident, in which a Royal Naval launch was destroyed and another slightly damaged; they have also offered to pay compensation.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to visit South Caernarvonshire to discuss outstanding problems such as unemployment, housing and communications with the local authorities.

I have no immediate plans to visit South Caernarvonshire but I am kept closely in touch with the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether, before an announcement of the Government's decision about the proposed third London airport is made, and in view of the need for all the relevant facts, he will now publish the findings of the Court of Inquiry into the suggested move of the Shoeburyness Artillery Range to Royal Air Force, Pembrey.

I have now announced that the Government have decided not to proceed with the proposal which was the subject of last year's public inquiry to move the Shoeburyness proof and experimental establishment to Pembrey. Copies of the Inspector's report and of my decision letter have been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will publish, and make a statement upon, the findings of the public inquiry into the proposal to locate the Shoeburyness Gunnery Range at Pembrey.

After careful consideration of all the relevant factors, the Government have decided not to proceed with the proposal which was the subject of last year's public inquiry to move the Shoeburyness proof and experimental establishment to Pembrey. In coming to this decision they have taken account, among other matters, of the report of the Inspector who held the inquiry, and who recommended against the proposal. The Government's decision is being communicated to the local authorities and others concerned. Copies of the Inspector's report and of the decision letter have been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what progress is being made in acquiring land for the site of the proposed new general hospital for Caernarvonshire and Anglesey at Bangor.

There is nothing I can add to the answers given to the right hon. Member on 6th November, 1970, and 5th February, 1971.—[Vol. 805, c. 492; Vol. 810, c. 489.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware that the Mexborough factory owned by Alexandre Limited is to close down by the end of this month, resulting in a further 120 redundancies; and what action he intends to take to encourage new industries to come to the Mexborough district.

Yes. As to the second part of the Question, the Mexborough district already qualifies for various measures of assistance to encourage industrial development, and we shall continue to bring the area to the attention of suitable firms. We are buying a site for an advance factory there.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the legal problems concerning

No such byelaws have been submitted to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the future of the vacant Government-built factory at Penygroes, Caernarvonshire.

Plans are in hand to renovate the factory when we take possession shortly. The Department will bring it to the attention of suitable industrial inquirers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the nature of each proposal for a definition and a marking order under Sections 7 and 8 of the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968 which, on 16th February, was under consideration, had consideration deferred pending further developments, and rejected, respectively; by whom, in each case, the proposal was made; and what, in the case of those rejected, was the reason for the rejection.

The proposals (apart from four advanced by hon. Members) were as follows.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is taking within his Department to improve security in order to protect the interests of motor insurance policy holders and shareholders as a result of his disclosure that confidential information was leaked from his Department in connection with the collapse of the Vehicle and General Insurance Company and which is now the subject of an investigation.

The standing security procedures provide for frequent checks to ensure that the arrangements for safeguarding official information are being complied with. Should investigation of the matter referred to by the hon. Member suggest any way in which the arrangements in those parts of the Department dealing with insurance companies should be altered or improved, action will of course, be taken immediately.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give details of the monthly load-factors to date of the Boeing 747, for those airlines having traffic rights for this aircraft between the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and of the load-factors on the Boeing 707 for a similar number of months from its first introduction into service on the North Atlantic by the same airlines.

No. The information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the estimated cruising speed, respectively, of the Douglas DC7C, the Boeing 707, and Concorde; how much time elapsed between the introduction into scheduled service on the North Atlantic of the Boeing 707 and the elimination from scheduled service on that route of piston-engined aircraft for those airlines having traffic rights between the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

For the Douglas DC7C about 275 knots. For the Boeing 707 about 470 knots. For the Concorde about 1,150 knots.The Boeing 707 was introduced into scheduled service between London and New York in October, 1958.The DC7C was withdrawn from nonstop scheduled service between London and New York in the spring of 1960, about 1½ years later, and from through stopping service in the autumn of 1962, about four years after the introduction of the Boeing 707.The last service from London to New York operated in part by piston-engined aircraft did not cease until May, 1968. This service, by Loftleidr, used piston-engined aircraft between London and Keflavik and non-piston propeller driven aircraft between Keflavik and New York.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what is the percentage cruising-speed increase between the DC7C and the Boeing 707; the Boeing 707 and Boeing 747; and between Boeing 747 and Concorde.

For typical long-range flights as across the Atlantic in standard conditions:the increase in cruising speed of the Boeing 707 compared with the DC7C is about 70 per cent.;the increase in cruising speed of the Boeing 747 compared with the Boeing 707 is small, about 5 per cent.;the increase in cruising speed of the Concorde compared with the Boeing 747 is about 135 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, for each year since 1962, he will express the cost to the Exchequer of research and development on Concorde, as a percentage of total expenditure on British military and civil aviation.

The figures requested are as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the sound-measurement of over-sea sonic boom of production Concorde at 60,000 feet.

On representative commercial flights over-sea, the pressure level beneath Concorde's flight path will be about 2 lb./sq. ft.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether he will state the percentage of air pollution in the United Kingdom attributable, respectively, to aircraft, to industrial pollution, and to the internal combustion engine.

Industrial and domestic pollution contributes about 90 per cent. of the total air pollution in the United Kingdom as a whole. Internal combustion engines contribute the remaining 10 per cent. of which aircraft engines provide 0·1 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether tests of environmental pollution of the upper atmosphere have been conducted by Her Majesty's Government, on military or civil supersonic flights; and what results have been obtained.

No, but preparations for such tests are in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what scientific evidence he has from international sources that supersonic flight causes environmental pollution not caused by subsonic jet flight.

No firm scientific evidence is yet available of the effects of supersonic flight on environmental pollution. Work, to which the United Kingdom is contributing, is, however, being carried out on this subject by the World Meteorological Organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give comparative measurement figures of smoke emission of, respectively, the VC10, the Boeing 727, the Boeing 707–320B, the DC8–50, and the production Concorde.

There has been no generally accepted method of making these comparisons but a system agreed with the United States authorities is about to be published. This will enable engine emissions to be measured and compared on a standard basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will publish his proposals for the ship repairing industry in South Wales.

As I told the House during the second reading of the Shipbuilding Industry Bill on 22nd April, the Government have no plans to give special assistance to the ship repairing industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the 25,000 square feet factory, approved for construction on the Dyffryn site, Morriston, Swansea, will be let for tender; it there is now a tenant for this factory; how many other inquiries for factory accommodation on this site have now been received from industrialists; and, of these inquiries, how many have not been followed up since 27th October, 1970.

The building contract was let on 21st April. No tenant has yet been found but the factory has been suggested to nine suitable industrialists inquiring for space. As to the site as a whole, we, of course, suggest it, along with many others, to all industrialists who inquire about the general availability of sites in Wales. Our records show that the attention of 21 industrialists has been specifically directed to Morriston though many others will have been told of it in response to general inquiries.No meaningful answer is possible to the last part of the Question because the number of inquiries always and inevitably exceeds the number of subsequent lettings.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give details of the Common Market's trade balance or deficit for each year since 1964.

The visible trade balance was in surplus in each of the years 1964 to 1969. Data for 1970 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, regarding the effects on British industry of Great Britain's entry into the Common Market; and whether he will make a statement in connection with it.

No. If the hon. Member would send me a copy of the communication referred to I shall be glad to consider the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received the communication dated 10th April from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, concerning the use of the £ sterling in the sterling area and its effects on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; and whether he will make a statement thereon.

No, but in any event the subject to which the hon. Member refers appears to be one for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion, assessed by value, of United Kingdom exports to Australia enter free of tariff; are subject to up to 20 per cent. tariff; and are subject to tariffs in excess of 20 per cent., respectively; and what proportion, assessed by value, of Australian exports to the United Kingdom enter free of tariff; are subject to up to 20 per cent. tariff; and are subject to tariff in excess of 20 per cent., respectively.

Over 98 per cent. of Australian imports enter the United Kingdom duty free. A high proportion of this is trade entering duty free from all sources. In 1969–70 67·5 per cent. of United Kingdom exports to Australia entered duty free; 9·6 per cent. was charged less than 20 per cent. and 18·4 per cent. at over 20 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of oil tankers fouling the English Channel with oil, and the difficulties in tracing the origins of oil slicks for remedial action by spraying detergents, he will take steps to ensure that all of the United Kingdom tankers carry supplies of detergent solvents with spray equipment and anti-pollution equipment to be used immediately when an emergency Occurs.

No. In an emergency involving a tanker, circumstances would rarely permit effective spraying operations against escaping oil by the ship itself even if it were suitably equipped. Locating oil from a damaged tanker is not usually difficult and it is better to use specially equipped vessels to disperse it.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that the Steel Act provides power for him to reduce any proposed increases in the price of steel; and whether he will seek similar powers with regard to the price of coal.

I am satisfied with the present informal arrangements for consultation between the coal industry and the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the fact that the accounts for the years 1968–69 and 1969–70 of the Dollar Land Company Limited have not yet been circulated, he will now refer this Company's affairs to one of his investigating officers.

The accounts for the year 1968 have been circulated and adopted. As for the 1969 accounts, I am informed by the Company that there will be a meeting of the Board early next month and I am reserving judgment on further action until it has taken place.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates have been issued for Ayrshire since 1st January; and if he will state, without giving details of individual firms, the total number of jobs expected to arise from them.

Four which it is estimated will provide 140 jobs when completed and fully manned.

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

An Amendment to the Finance Bill will be tabled to permit the introduction of new arrangements to ensure the full recording of exports. These arrangements will be based on proposals put forward on behalf of the business community by the S.I.T.P.R.O. Board whom I should like to thank for their constructive action. An outline of the new arrangements, which should make unnecessary the institution of a full pre-entry system, is available in the Library and will subsequently be published in "Trade and Industry" on 5th May.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his latest estimates of the annual cost to Great Britain of adopting the regulations of the European Economic Community in respect of direct investment and portfolio investment.

Meaningful quantitative estimates cannot be made because of the number of variables involved. I would expect some net outflow in respect of both direct and portfolio investment, but there will be movements in both directions and a probability of considerable fluctuations from one year to another.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to facilitate a reduction in the rate of interest at which banks are lending to the public.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what methods he intends before July to ensure the maximum beneficial effect on the cost of living from the reduction in selective employment tax.

I have asked my right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Minister of Agriculture to draw the attention of those concerned to the scope for passing on the benefit of the S.E.T. cut to the consumer. But the most important factor here will be the effect of competition and this has already led to a number of retailers making early announcements of price reductions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost of increasing the blind person's tax allowance from £100 to £150.

About £1½ million for a full year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to be able to announce full details of the souvenir issue of sterling coinage for Great Britain.

The sets will be made to proof standard and will contain examples of each denomination from the halfpenny to the halfcrown. I expect to be able to make a further announcement in the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was expended for the last 10 years on the harbours at Coll, Tiree, Colonsay, Gigha and Iona and the mainland harbours which serve these islands.

I regret that I do not have this information which could be provided only by the various harbour authorities or operators. Government grants under the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, 1897, made in support of developments at these harbours during the 10 years to 31st March, 1971, amounted to £287,000.