asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now in a position to make a statement about his Department's plans to make house purchase by mortgages easier for young couples who seek to purchase their first accommodation.

A number of the measures I announced to the House on 6th May were designed to help young house buyers.I refer in particular to the improvements to the option mortgage scheme. And to the readiness of the Building Societies Association to recommend that their members make high percentage loans to those who demonstrate their ability to meet the repayment instalments even over so short a period as six months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the effect to date of Washington New Town in attracting industry to the Northern Region, and the need for its continuance, if he will ensure that an adequate supply of industrial land is readily available.

I recognise the importance of this to the continuing success of the town, and my right hon. Friend is now consulting the local authorities and statutory undertakers concerned on a proposal from the development corporation that he should make an order adding about 275 acres of land for industrial development to the designated area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what his Department is doing to encourage the use of industrialised building for multistorey construction.

My Department has developed industrialised systems in both precast concrete and steel framework. Considerable encouragement has also been given to the use of these systems in both the public and private sector. In particular the public building frame is a precast concrete system which has been applied successfully to more than 40 government buildings throughout the country either completed or in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what his Department is doing to provide skid-proof runways for the Royal Air Force.

We have developed most effective methods of increasing skid resistance. These include the cutting of grooves in runway surfaces and the application of surface dressings. In particular a friction course surfacing of graded rock and bitumen has been successfully developed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will enter into discussions with the City of Leicester with a view to increasing the number of local authority houses to be constructed in Leicester.

I visited Leicester on 8th February during the council's house improvement month and my regional officers are in close touch with the council about all aspects of housing, including their housing programme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to provide accommodation for additional emergency courts of law in London.

My right hon. Friend has made arrangements to provide 10 new emergency courts in the London area. Seven of the new courts are already functioning and the remainder are due to be opened next month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what contribution he is making towards the conservation of smokeless fuels to assist in the development of the clean air campaign.

By next winter boiler conversions by my Department will have reduced coke consumption in public buildings and Ministry of Defence establishments by over 60 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to bring the older Service housing estates up to modern-day standards.

We are currently planning a substantial increase in the programme of improvements to the older married quarters estates to bring them up to present day standards. We spent £2·4 million on improvements in 1970–71 and expect to spend £5·8 million in the current financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many season tickets for the monuments and historic buildings in Government care were sold in 1970 compared with 1969.

In 1969, 36,006 and in 1970, 44,273.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much he expects his Department to spend over the next two years on the maintenance and preservation of historic buildings; and how this compares with the two previous years.

Grants totalling £575,000 and £700,000 were offered for the repair and maintenance of historic buildings on the recommendation of the Historic Buildings Council for England during 1969–70 and 1970–71, respectively. I intend to offer at least £700,000 during each of the next two years, and hope to increase this as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking, as a result of his research into high flats, to advise local authorities about the dangers of housing families with small children in high blocks of flats.

It is already Departmental policy to encourage local authorities not to house families with young children in high blocks of flats. Advice on the problems of living in multi-storey blocks has been published in Design Bulletins and further bulletins are in preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to give council ten ants rights of tenure not less than those available to private tenants; and if he will make a statement on council tenancies.

Local authorities are democratically elected bodies, responsible to their electorate. Where the tenants of private landlords enjoy additional rights of tenure, this is for reasons which do not apply to council tenants and I do not consider that legislation on the lines suggested is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to prevent local authorities supplying information about council tenants to debt-collecting and other commercial firms without informing the tenants concerned.

I do not think this is a matter for legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has formed of the effect on his policy of firm-price tendering in the public sector in the light of the latest rise in cement prices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of recent rises in the costs of building materials, notably cement, he is satisfied that his fixed price tendering policy in the public sector should continue; and if he will make a statement.

In the light of strong representations from the industry about rising costs of building materials the Government's firm-price tendering policy was reviewed in March.I informed the National Consultative Council for the Building and Civil Engineering Industries on 17th March, 1971, that the industry's request for relaxation in that policy could not be met.I undertook to reconsider the situation if circumstances showed this to be necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, as part of his Department's inquiry into the voluntary housing movement, consideration will be given to the establishment of a new registry of housing associations as the central registering authority for all voluntary housing bodies.

Consideration will certainly be given to registration or listing of housing associations as a pre-requisite of the receipt of public funds, though this does not necessarily imply setting up a new registry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate his Department has made of the cost value to the building and construction industry of the recently announced reduction in the rate of selective employment tax.

About £50 million in the current financial year and £65 million in a full year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made with his campaign to improve older houses; and what are the numbers of discretionary and standard grants authorised, up to the latest available date.

I have been extremely encouraged by the response of all local authorities and the industries concerned to the Government's campaign. Over 30 local house improvement months have already been held in towns up and down the country. I hope that some 60 more will take place during this year and next as well as a massive campaign covering the whole of London. The number of grants approved in England and Wales continues to rise and the total for the first quarter of this year showed an overall increase of 42 per cent. over the same period in 1970, itself a record year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps his Department is taking to encourage the use of computers in the construction industry.

The Department's Committee on the Application of Computers in the Construction Industry is co-ordinating and promoting further advance in this field. It includes representatives of all sectors of the industry. Sub-Committees are studying the application of computers to the work of architects, structural and services engineers, quantity surveyors and contractors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that the new regulations which safeguard the stability of tall buildings can be economically applied; and if lie will make make a statement.

I am satisfied that they can be applied without significant increase in cost, and should result in buildings cf improved stability and better all-round performance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give loan sanction for the purchase by the London Borough of Brent of 40 houses to enable families to be rehoused from Curzon Crescent and the renovation of that estate to suffer no further delay.

Local authorities are able to acquire houses for general stock without the need to obtain loan sanction for individual transactions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give a list of the official engagements of the Minister for Housing and Construction on Monday, 10th May, 1971; why a helicopter was chartered and at what cost for an official visit to Manchester, in view of the fact that a booking had been made on a scheduled flight; and what was the difference in cost between the original booking on the scheduled flight and that of the chartered helicopter.

As the hon. Member will know, B.E.A. regulations for inter-Britain flights require that passengers check in 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time. On 10th May, 1971, because of traffic congestion I arrived only 15 minutes before take-off, and although the British Airport Authority were expecting me and although seats were available on the aircraft, B.E.A. declined to accept my party for travel. As I had undertaken to perform a number of scheduled appointments involving, among others, Blackburn Corporation Members and officials, I chartered a helicopter and was thus able to fulfil my programme. The difference in cost was £83·90.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many women cleaners in the Palace of Westminster are supplied by contract cleaning companies; what are their hours of work; and what wage-rate they receive per hour.

The information is not available; contracts are based on a price for the services and not on the number of women cleaners or rates of pay. Cleaning contracts, like all other contracts let by my Department, include in the Conditions observance of the Fair Wages Resolution passed by the House of Commons on 14th October, 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made in securing the participation of private enterprise in new town schemes; and what is his latest estimate of the element of private capital in the Central Lancashire New Town.

It is estimated that in 1970–71 private capital financed more than half the factories and shops built on land provided by new town corporation in England. Yesterday, my right hon. Friend asked corporations to take fresh measures to secure more private housebuilding, and to report progress. I hope that at least half the houses in Central Lancashire New Town will be owner-occupied.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his attention has been drawn to the recommendation by Professor Buchanan in his Blackheath and Greenwich Study, details of which are in his possession, that the Fleet Line be extended to Kidbrooke; and what action he proposes to take.

The initiative for investigating this idea must lie with the Greater London Council to whom the recommendation was made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has given instructions that planning applications for further facilities at Luton Airport must be referred to him.

There is a standing arrangement whereby the Luton County Borough Council inform me of their proposals for development at Luton Airport. That gives me an opportunity to decide whether to require the Council to make a planning application to me for any particular development.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish the study of the A6 road in Northamptonshire.

Traffic studies of Rushden and Kettering on A6 are in progress; it is not intended to publish them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in his review of Green Belts, he is considering the possibility of zoning derelict horticultural land for residential use.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether in view of the increased pressure on the roads resulting from the withdrawal of railway and bus services and the increases in fares, he will consider facilitating planning applications relating to transport and land use in order to take account of this trend.

I have already announced that my right hon. Friend is making a wide appraisal of the planning system. One of our prime aims is to reduce the time taken to decide planning applications and appeals whilst maintaining all necessary safeguards for the proper preservation of the environment. I doubt whether any special measures are appropriate in the application to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his decision on the recommendations of the Key Report on the Disposal of Solid Toxic Wastes.

The main recommendations of the Technical Committee on the Disposal of Solid Toxic Wastes are complementary to and are being considered with those of the Working Party on Refuse Disposal which was published on 27th April, 1971. In Circular 26/71 I indicated I have accepted in principle that the disposal of solid waste should be co-ordinated over reasonably large areas and that there should be a greater measure of control.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether a decision has yet been made regarding the barrage across Morecambe Bay.

I expect to make a decision on storage of water in Morecambe Bay next year, after I have received advice from the Water Resources Board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his decision on the Report of the Committee on Refuse Disposal.

Many of the recommendations are of immediate and practical interest to local authorities and others engaged in the disposal of refuse. In Circular No. 26 dated 27th April, 1971 I indicated I have accepted in principle the central recommendation that the disposal of all solid waste should be co-ordinated over reasonably large areas and that there should be a greater measure of control.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will encourage local authorities to consider a refuse compression process, similar to the one being considered by Kensington and Chelsea Council, details of which have been sent to him.

Methods of treatment of refuse at source must necessarily vary from area to area and will be a matter for local decision. The Department's Standing Committee on Research into Refuse is, however, considering the question of reduction of volume of refuse at source.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what study his Department is making of amenity preservation in relation to the needs of water supply.

Amenity is always taken fully into account in reaching decisions on individual water schemes, and by the Water Resources Board in advising me on long-term planning. The Department of the Environment and the Water Resources Board have promoted a major economic study of the Trent, in which amenity and water supply are two of the principal aspects. The Countryside Commission and the Water Resources Board are preparing advice on how the needs of amenity and recreation can be met in relation to reservoirs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has commenced consultations with local authority associations on the future of aldermen.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now expects to publish the Green Paper on the Reform of Local Government Finance.

Within the next two months, I expect. But I cannot yet give a firm date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to ensure that more rural land is released for building purposes in order to reduce its price; and if he will make a statement.

The primary responsibility for ensuring that enough land is available for building purposes rests with local planning authorities. They were reminded of the importance of this in my Department's Circular 10/70 issued on 14th December, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the minimum mean flow of the Ouse at Skelton above York; and what investigations are being undertaken into the possibility of using water from the Ouse in the West Riding.

A reliable technique for measuring flows at Skelton was not instituted until 1969 and a period of less than two years is much too short for the determination of a minimum mean flow. The River Authority hope to secure an additional 10 million gallons a day from the river by revising the rules under which discharges are made from the Gouthwaite reservoir to the River Nidd, and they hope to meet the committee of mill owners who are responsible for these discharges next month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will assist the consideration of the airport needs of Yorkshire which he has suggested to the local planning authorities by indicating the level of financial assistance that will be given, in view of concern that ratepayers' money might be expended in developing an airport which would subsequently be denied the right to expand.

It is too early to consider this until the authorities have decided whether to undertake a study and what the terms of reference should be. Government grants for airports are of course a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will amend the terms of the leases for motorway service areas to enable the Automobile Association and the Royal Automobile Club vehicles to enter at approved prices for the purpose of towing away vehicles in distress.

No. They may do so now by arrangement with the lessees of the sites.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many owner-occupiers owning no other property had, on selling their houses, paid tax to the Land Commission during the latter's existence; and what is the total number of owner-occupiers who sold their houses during the period in question.

Records were not kept by the Commission which would provide the figures in question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to enable a person imprisoned by order of a magistrates' court for non-payment of rates to appeal to a court of quarter sessions.

The machinery for rate recovery is to be reviewed by the Government in the light of the recommendations of the Committee on the Enforcement of Judgment Debts, which reported in 1969. The Committee recommended, among other things, the abolition of imprisonment for non-payment of rates. I have no proposals for amending the law in advance of this review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware of local concern about the timing of the public inquiry into the M11 service area proposed to be sited within the Chigwell urban district; and what action has been taken in consequence.

My right hon. Friend has received only one letter making representations about the date of the inquiry which is due to open on 1st June. The local authorities and others concerned were notified of the inquiry date at varying times during April and the arrangements were advertised in the local Press on 30th April. This seems reasonable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he is aware, from the information forwarded to him by the hon. Member for Blyth, that the Northumberland coastline is threatened by erosion and that the Northern Region stands to lose an area designated the primary heritage coast in Great Britain; and if he will take action to safeguard the coastline;(2) if, in the light of further evidence forwarded to him by the hon. Member for Blyth, he will have talks with all the appropriate authorities regarding the protection of beaches in Northumberland, with a view to ensuring their preservation for the future.

The Coast Protection Act, 1949 confers upon maritime county borough and county district councils power to carry out works of protection against sea erosion. Exchequer grant is payable towards the cost of approved schemes and my engineering inspectors are ready to visit authorities and help with advice. These powers and arrangements are adequate and no special action on my part is required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now publish the plans for the proposed fly-over at the junction of the North Circular Road and the Cambridge Road.

No. The design of the proposed scheme has not been settled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of all the road-user and amenity societies and organisations he consulted in connection with the Highways Bill.

Yes. Following is the information:

• Sand and Ballast Hauliers and Allied Trades Alliance.
• Road Haulage Association.
• Automobile Association.
• Royal Automobile Club.
• National Trust.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is still the Government's intention that the Humber Bridge should be commenced in 1972 and completed in 1976.

That is the intention of the Humber Bridge Board. The Government are not yet committed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many road tanker accidents have caused pollution of water courses over the past five years; and if he is satisfied with the labelling, transporting and safety precautions to deal with such emergencies.

I do not have the figures for five years, but 174 of the accidents to which I referred in my answer to my hon. Friend's earlier Question today involved transport. I am considering how the safeguards against pollution from this source might be improved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to safeguard the mileage of footpaths available to the public; and what correspondence he has had with the National Farmers' Union in this matter.

An amendment has been made to the Highways Bill extending to district and parish councils the powers to take proceedings where footpaths are not reinstated after ploughing. I have had no recent correspondence with the National Farmers' Union about footpaths, except in relation to this amendment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will examine the boundaries of the South-West Economic Planning Region as at present constituted, and give consideration to the creation of a south-west regional grouping based on the four most western counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

Before coming to long-term decisions on any future organisations needed for the regions in England the Government will wish to consider whatever recommendations the Commission on the Constitution may have to make in this field. My hon. Friend can, however, rest assured that account will be taken of his request at the appropriate time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider favourably requests from local amenity societies for financial assistance in meeting the costs of legal and public inquiry proceedings.

No. While I appreciate the contribution amenity societies may make to inquiry proceedings I do not consider any Government assistance towards their costs would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to strengthen control over the use of premises as hairdressing establishments.

No. Where the use of premises as hairdressing establishments involves a material change of use, planning permission is already required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities have submitted proposals on county boundaries in response to his Circular 8/71.

586 local authorities have written in response to the circular. This number includes 188 parish councils.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give an assurance that, in dealing with the reform of local government in the North-West, he will do nothing to diminish the standing or tradition of the Duchy and County Palatine of Lancaster.

I am in touch with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on this point. The Government's proposals are essentially concerned with the administration of local government and we wish to avoid, as far as possible, any disturbance of ancient privileges and honoured status.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the danger and inconvenience resulting from the traffic conditions at Bere Regis crossroads, if he will give a firm date in respect of relief roads to be constructed.

Target dates are allocated to road schemes only when they are admitted into the firm programme. We are, at present, considering the possible inclusion of a Bere Regis bypass scheme in a further extension of the trunk road preparation pool.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has studied new evidence from the Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Harwell concerning the cause of the ammonium sulphate haze occurring over a 10-mile radius of Teesside; and if he will make a statement.

The Department has kept in touch with the work of the Atomic Energy Authority team at Harwell on the Teesside mist problem. Whilst certain scientific reports which have a bearing on the matter have been published, the team's final report has yet to be submitted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which research committee is carrying out the new tests on lead blood levels in children for which he has asked; when he expects the committee to report; and if he will make a statement.

I have already arranged for new measurements of lead in the urban atmosphere to be made, and I am considering further research of the same type.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether garages have to submit individual applications for planning permission covering their general appearance, or whether they are covered by a blanket permission.

General permission is given for additions to dwelling-houses, including the erection of domestic garages, subject to limitations; these control the siting, cubic capacity, height and means of access, but not the appearance of any such addition. Commercial garages are subject to specific planning control governing such matters, amongst others, as their extrenal appearance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, following the Report of the Central Advisory Water Committee, he will make a statement on his policy towards regional water authorities.

My right hon. Friend and I are studying the Committee's Report. We expect to announce our conclusions shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of his official engagements for Saturday, 5th June, 1971.

It is not the practice to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the light of the proposals in the Government's White Paper on Local Government in England, Command Paper No. 4584, he will make a statement about the future of the passenger transport authorities.

It is proposed that when local government is re-organised the functions and responsibilities of the Passenger Transport Authorities should be assumed by the new Metropolitan Councils.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the amount of coordination of the ports industry provided by the National Ports Council; and if he will make a statement.

I hope to make an announcement shortly about the future role of the National Ports Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek to extend the terms of reference of the transport users' consultative committees to include the consideration of fares.

I am considering this and other suggestions made by the Central Transport Consultative Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now state his intentions concerning new regulations about the unlit parking of motor vehicles at night.

I hope to make an announcement in a few weeks time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, before authorising an increase in the present maximum weight for lorries of 32 tons, he will consult the respective local authorities regarding the inade-

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he would consider the introduction of a double white line road marking system for the Thanet Way, A299, in Kent from Brenley Corner to St. Nicholas-at-Wade, in view of the number of head-on collisions which have occurred there on the present system of marking for a three-lane highway.

This is the responsibility of Kent County Council who have, I understand, already provided double white lines where appropriate.

I would not contemplate making any change in maximum vehicle weights without full consultation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he is making for the provision of ice-skating in Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.

This is primarily a matter for commercial companies and local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to repeal the provisions of the Transport Act, 1968, for the establishment of a national bus company.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the road casualty figures for the Thanet Way, A299, in Kent, for 1969, 1970 and from 1st January, 1971, to 30th April, 1971.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the agreement signed with the United States Government concerning co-operation in the development of a safety car and the formulation of relevant safety legislations.

My Department and the United States Department of Transportation have agreed to exchange technical information resulting from our car safety programmes. This will promote the rapid development of higher safety standards.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he can now announce his decision regarding the proposed closure of the Central London Epping-Ongar railway line.

Not yet.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in any future meetings between the Port of Bristol and the South Wales ports, he will arrange for the appropriate trade union representatives to be present.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in his current review of grant-aid to non-paying rail services, he will apply the same criteria in each of the various regions affected.

I apply in every instance the relevant criteria to that case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will extend his study of the problems of rural transport to those of urban transport, including the effects of traffic on the environment.

I am already doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he will give to fast communications between London, Foulness and Heathrow; and if he will carry out feasibility studies involving the tracked hovercraft and the advanced passenger train.

The Government recognise the importance of high-speed links and will carry out the necessary studies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has now received the results of the counts of heavy lorries parked in streets carried out by his working party; and if he will describe the action he proposes to take as a consequence.

The results will be incorporated in the working party's report. I cannot say what action will need to be taken until I have received it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the total cost in extra premiums payable by holders of driving licences in respect of a requirement for them to be issued in respect of liability to passengers in or on vehicles driven by them.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions the Freight Integration Council met during 1969 and 1970; and how many meetings have been held this year.

The Council met six times in 1969 and once in 1970. A Working Party on public sector parcels services set up in July, 1969 has met nine times.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has received from the Freight Integration Council towards securing greater co-ordination of activities within the public sector of transport.

None as yet.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain on how many occasions a maroon coloured 13 cwt. van registration No. 4797PG and a green Bedford 5-ton lorry registration No. 162RKP were reported to his Department or his agents who enforce matters connected with road excise licensing; and what action was taken prior to these vans being used in the recent Croydon robbery.

I understand that neither vehicle has been reported for vehicle excise offences. Both were licensed until they were sold earlier this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to make failsafe brakes compulsory on heavy vehicles.

Braking systems containing certain safeguards against brake failure are already compulsory. No further legislation is proposed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now seek to amend the Acts and regulations relating to traffic signals, to enable drivers of fire appliances, ambulances and police vehicles proceeeding to an emergency to continue through the red lights when it is safe to do so, without running the risk of prosecution for a traffic offence.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of State for the Home Department on 12th May to the hon. Member for Hackney, Central (Mr. Clinton Davis).—[Vol. 817, c. 127].

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation making it an offence for motor drivers of private vehicles to use a horn which emits more than one note.

I propose to introduce a regulation to ban the fitting of multi-tone horns.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now make a statement about the progress and development of the advanced passenger train; and when he expects preliminary trials on track will take place.

The first experimental train is now almost completed. Trials on a special test track are planned to begin later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the evidence on which his Department decided that the train service from Euston to Watford was over-provided for; what consultation he had with the London Borough of Brent and other boroughs affected before endorsing the cut-back in schedules; and if he will make a statement.

The reduction should save £120,000 a year while still providing adequate accommodation even in the peak hour. Following normal practice, the Transport Users Consultative Committee and the Economic Planning Council were consulted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the total number of holders of driving licences who are not insured in respect of liability to passengers in or on vehicles driven by them.

About 10 per cent. of the 11·2 million private cars are not covered by insurance which includes passenger liability cover and about 30 per cent. at most of the 2·1 million commercial vehicles. Very few of the 1·13 million solo motor-cycle policies include such cover.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when, after Gateside Prison ceases to be a women's prison in 1974, it will be ready for occupation as a male prison; what improvements and modernisation will be carried out beforehand; and how many prisoners will the prison be expected to hold.

It is hoped to transfer some male inmates almost immediately after the women and girls are moved out. Certain improvements, for example to the sanitary and kitchen facilities and the electrical systems, and possibly, the erection of a new gatehouse/office/stores block, will be undertaken before the transfer is completed; and further developments, with a view to providing at least 200 inmate places, are being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has, in addition to the young offenders' institution being built at Glenochil, to authorise the building of another by 1974 elsewhere in Scotland, for how many prisoners, and where; and when tenders will be sought.

The forward prison building programme includes provision for a further male young offenders institution of upwards of 500 places. Several sites in central Scotland are being considered for this purpose, and I hope that a decision will be reached in the course of this year. Detailed planning cannot begin until the site is determined, but I hope it will be possible to seek tenders in 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet received information on the number of children who have stopped taking school meals in Lanarkshire since the last increase in price; what this number is; how many are in receipt of free meals now, and how many before the increase; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now publish the latest statistics showing the decline in the number of school meals taken following the recent increase in charges.

This information will be available when education authorities make their returns of school meals taken on 27th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to assist people in the Island of Eday who have been refused grants for improving their houses on the grounds that the water supplied by the North of Scotland Water Board is inadequate.

This is primarily a matter for the county council and the North of Scotland Water Board, but I am considering whether a way can be found to resolve the difficulty. I shall let the right hon. Gentleman know the outcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the likely shortage of secondary school teachers following the raising of the school leaving age.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Sproat) on 13th May.—[Vol. 817, c. 166–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with the General Teaching Council and the teacher training college authorities with a view to modifying the course for graduates; and with what results.

I have received the Council's comments on the proposals of my predecessor for a "sandwich" training scheme to prepare graduates for secondary school work and have noted their view that the existing training arrangements should continue pending an inquiry which they have decided to institute on the training of graduates. I am awaiting the outcome of the Council's inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money is allocated by the National Health Service toward research into the cause and cure of rheumatoid arthritis.

My direct responsibility for medical research is very limited and no research into the cause and cure of rheumatoid arthritis is being directly supported by my Department. It would not be possible without extensive inquiries to identify the support given from National Health Service funds to research into rheumatoid diseases conducted in hospitals in Scotland which is also supported from other sources such as the Medical Research Council, the universities, or charitable foundations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for improving and developing resources to deal with the disease of rheumatoid arthritis; and if he will make a statement.

Regional hospital boards are responsible for organising and developing services in their areas for the hospital treatment of illness including rheumatoid arthritis. I am keeping developments under review in this field.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has received any representations from East Flintshire concerning the proposed transfer to the new mental hospital at Llanfairfechan, Caernarvonshire, of patients currently lodged at Broughton Hospital, East Flintshire; if he will consider the proposed transfer; and if he will make a statement.

No.In answer to the second part of the Question, I have not yet received the Welsh Hospital Board's proposals for the reorganisation of hospital services for the mentally handicapped in North and Mid-Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects construction work to start on London's third airport.

In order to achieve the desired aim of having the first runway operational in 1980, construction work will probably have to begin by 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to be in a position to make a further statement concerning the Falcon Insurance Company, Acton.

A direction was given to the Company on 12th May under Section 68 of the Companies Act, 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the banking companies who are recognised for the purposes of Schedule 8 to the Companies Act, 1948.

A list of the banking and discount companies recognised for these purposes as at 31st December, 1969 is in the annual report published as "Companies in 1969". The list at 31st December, 1970 is in the Library of the House of Commons.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice he has given to local authorities to assist retirement pensioners with their domestic fuel needs during the coming winter; and what discussions he has had with the local authority associations and the fuel trade on the problem of fuel supply for such pensioners in this area.

None. If the income of a retirement pensioner is insufficient for his needs, help may be available through the supplementary benefit scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made or proposes to make to the Soviet Government to ensure that British citizens are protected from intimidation, molestation and assault when seeking lawful access to institutions in this country over which the Soviet Government have complete jurisdiction.

None. As I suggested in my reply to a related Question by the hon. Member yesterday, I cannot agree with the assumption on which this Question is based.—[Vol. 817, c. 277.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, dated 10th May regarding the request from a person who desires a detailed reply to questions concerning Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; and what was the nature of his reply.

I received a letter dated 10th May from the hon. Member. He will shortly be receiving a reply.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the Ulster Farmers' Union about the special problems affecting Northern Ireland agriculture in the event of United Kingdom entry into the European Economic Community.

My right hon. Friend met representatives of the United Kingdom Farmers' Unions, including the Ulster Farmers' Union, soon after the negotiations started and he has since been kept in close touch with the effects of entry on Northern Ireland agriculture.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will list the difference in commodity prices prevailing at present between the European Economic Community and the United Kingdom.

There are various difficulties in making precise comparisons of prices at any point of time. I will write to my hon. Friend about such comparison as can be made.

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances an Army patrol was attacked in Exchange Street, Belfast, on Saturday night, 15th May; what sort of gun or guns were used against the Army; how many shots were fired; what injuries the soldiers sustained; what shot they fired in return; what was the result of these shots; what was the name of the man killed; to what organisation he belonged; and what subsequent searches and arrests were made.

At 9.20 p.m. on 15th May a landrover patrol of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Highland Fusiliers, stopped a car coming out of Little Edward Street, Belfast. One of the occupants of the car opened fire with a Sterling sub-machine gun. Approximately 15 shots were fired, and two soldiers were injured: one in the stomach and leg and the other in the shoulder. The patrol returned fire with 11 shots, killing one man, William John Reid. The Republican Press Centre claim that he was an officer of the Provisional I.R.A. It is believed that another man may have been wounded by the patrol. The area in which the shooting occurred was immediately cordoned and searched. Intensive patrolling continued throughout the night and a further search operation was conducted next morning. No arrests have so far been made.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a further statement on the proposed loan of £4½ million to Yarrow (Shipbuilders) Limited.

Detailed discussions with the company on the terms and conditions of loan have been completed and the £4½ million will be advanced in instalments over the next few months. A Supplementary Estimate will be submitted to the House in due course; in the meantime arrangements have been made to draw appropriate sums as required from the Contingencies Fund.