asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will withdraw references to the trade of aircraft technician from literature advertising for recruits to the Armed Forces, in view of the fact that this is now a redundant trade.

There is no trade of aircraft technician as such in the Royal Navy but it is not true to say that the trade, or its equivalent, is generally redundant in any of the Services. Some redundancies of individual Army aircraft technicians have occurred because of unforeseen changes in commitments but it has not been feasible to avoid this by ceasing recruitment. To do so would have led to imbalances in the age and rank structure later on and of course the training organisation cannot be stopped and started at will. All three Services have a continuing need for aircraft technicians and their equivalents

	Current rates (paid from September, 1970)	1971–72	New rates 1972–73	1973–74
	£	£	£	£
London and the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge	420	465	480	500
Elsewhere	380	430	445	465
At home	305	345	355	370
College of education students (England and Wales) in residence	170	190	200	210

The starting point on the income scale for parental contributions will be raised from£900 to£1,100, and contributions will be reduced by£10 up to residual income of£1,699.With effect from September, 1971, equipment grants for medical, dental and veterinary students will be increased by one-third; similar grants up to a maximum of£20 will be paid to students of architecture and ophthalmic optics. A higher rate of grant for extra study will be paid to students at institutions in London than to those elsewhere. Other supplementary grants will be increased to the levels suggested by the Working Group which carried out the first stage of the review. In addition minor changes will be made in the method of assessing and must continue to advertise for them in their recruiting literature.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will now make a further statement about student grants.

As I announced on 6th May, the Government will make available the sum of£76 million for the improvement of student grants over the triennium 1971–74. After full discussions with the local authority associations of England and Wales, the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and the student unions in accordance with the agreed procedure, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, and I have decided to increase grants for students on first degree and comparable courses as follows:some grants which will benefit certain groups of students.—[Vol. 816, c. 404.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries was consulted on the proposals contained in the White Paper entitled "Future Policy for Museums and Galleries".

The views of the Standing Commission on Muesums and Galleries on the general question of charges for admission to the National Museums and Galleries were taken into account in putting forward the proposals in the White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many of the staff of her Department are experienced in matters relating to museums and galleries, and in particular provincial museums.

The staff of my Department with responsibilities for museums and galleries are all suitably qualified to deal with such matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT information in respect of the academic year 1968–69 corresponding to that given in Appendix 10 of the Anderson Report on Grants to Students, May 1960, Command Paper No. 1051.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list her Department's building recommendations in relation to units of classroom space area per child in State schools for infants, juniors, secondary children other than VI form pupils, and VI form pupils, respectively.

Minimum teaching areas for schools maintained by local education authorities are prescribed in the Standards for School Premises Regulations, 1959, as amended. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is satisfied with the standard of qualifications obtained in teacher training establishments in the Commonwealth by teachers wishing to teach in this country; and if she will make a statement.

Standards vary considerably from country to country and establishment to establishment. Applications from teachers trained in the Commonwealth to teach in this country are therefore considered on their individual merits.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what reply has now been sent to the British Medical Students Association concerning their recent claim for increased grants.

A joint deputation from the British Medical Students' Association and other student unions were informed by officials of the Education Departments on 23rd March that their representations would be considered during the review of awards now completed. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to the Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Mr. St. John-Stevas).

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of redundancies of which he has been notified since 1st January in the counties of Brecon and Radnor.

In the period 1st January, 1971, to 18th May, 1971, redundancies were notified to my Department, involving 54 workpeople in Breconshire and 45 in Radnorshire.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which African Governments have informed him that they have reached agreements with United Kingdom companies whose assets they have nationalised; and whether the companies have informed him that they are satisfied with the compensation obtained.

None. Where United Kingdom companies affected by expropriation measures have themselves negotiated agreements with the responsible Governments there has been no obligation on either side to inform Her Majesty's Government of the outcome of their negotiations.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications how many complaints he has received since postcodes were introduced in areas in Scotland; to what extent he has been consulted about their future extension; and what are the areas intimated to him.

This is a Post Office management matter, about which I have received no complaints and had no consultations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage increase or decrease in the savings ratio from the formation of the European Economic Community up to the present time in the United Kingdom and each of the six members of the European Economic Community.

The figures are given in the table below for the longest period for which they are available on a comparable basis. In view of the differences in the periods covered, annual rates of increase have been shown as well as the total increase. However, year-to-year fluctuations in the ratio of saving to personal disposable income are important and the increases shown, which take account only of the ratios in the first and last years, may be much affected by fluctuations in those years.

SAVING OF HOUSEHOLDS* AS A PERCENTAGE OF DISPOSABLE INCOME
		Percentage increase
	Period for which consistent figures available	Total	At an annual rate
United Kingdom	1958–69	231·4	11·5
Belgium	1959–69	55·6	4·5
France	1958–69	9·3	0·8
Germany	1960–69	-4·3	-0·5
Italy	1961–69	6·8	0·8
Luxembourg	1958–68	-5·3	-0·5
Netherlands	1958–69	21·9	1·8
* Including private non-profit institutions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what, in sterling, was the weekly increase in the cost of living in each Common Market country and in the United Kingdom, respectively, between 1958 and 1969, or a later available date.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to his previous question yesterday for the increase in the price index of consumers' expenditure over a period as near as possible to 1958 to 1969. Converted to a weekly rate, these increases are:

		Period for which consistent figures available	Average weekly rate of increase in price index of consumers' expenditure
United Kingdom	…	1958–69	·06
Belgium	…	1959–69	·05
France	…	1958–69	·08
Germany	…	1960–69	·05
Italy	…	1958–69	·06
Luxembourg	…	1960–69	·06
Netherlands	…	1958–69	·07

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he has now reached a decision further to increase the charges on prescriptions;(2) when he will meet the Pharmaceutical Society to discuss prescription charges;(3) what representations he has received from the Pharmaceutical Society concerning the question of cost-related charges on prescriptions; and if he will make a statement.

I hope that arrangements will shortly be confirmed for a meeting on 17th June, when I propose to discuss with the Pharmaceutical Society the objections which they set out in a letter. I shall not take any final decision meanwhile.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated cost of introducing a cost-related charge scheme on prescriptions, up to a maximum of 50p per item; and what is the estimated income to the Exchequer arising from such a proposal.

The cost would depend on the detailed arrangements. We are aiming at a net annual saving of about£15 million in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the principal items responsible for the increase in building and engineering costs and fees and equipment, respectively, between the original and current estimates of expenditure for the Bristol Royal Infirmary Casualty and Out-patients' Department.

The increased building and engineering costs are principally due to a net excess of£304,000 following the receipt of tenders (justified by increases in labour and materials costs between the original estimate made in January, 1964 and the tender date. June, 1966) and£495,000 payable under the contract terms for fluctuations in labour and materials costs since then. An increase of£151,000 in fees mainly reflects the increased building and engineering costs. The estimate for equipment has increased by£300,000 over a notional estimate of£500,000 following a closer definition of requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many pre-school play centres and/or nursery schools there are situated in Stockport, and how many of these receive State or local aid;(2) what representations have been made with regard to the opening of pre-school play centres or nursery schools in the county borough of Stockport, and when he proposes taking a decision with regard to these.

Forty-one premises are registered under the nurseries and Child Minders Regulation Act, 1948, to provide sessional care for pre-school children. None receives State or local aid. The county borough council have submitted proposals for financial support to preschool playgroups and the appointment of a playgroups organiser to be grant-aided under the Urban Programme. These proposals will be considered after 28th May, the closing date for submissions in the current phase of the programme.I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, that there are five nursery schools in Stockport maintained by the local authority and that their proposal to establish a sixth has been approved under the Urban Programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has for the provision of pre-school play centres or nursery schools in high density areas where no such facilities at present exist.

It is our policy to encourage local authorities in England, as resources permit, to assist the development of pre-school playgroups to provide for children with special health or social needs. Further proposals for such assistance in areas of social deprivation to be grant-aided under the Urban Programme will shortly be considered.Nursery education in England is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science; about 15,000 additional places in nursery schools and classes in areas of multiple social deprivation have been approved under the Urban Programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from local advisory committees of his Department with reference to their dismissal; and if he will make a statement.

Of the 141 social security local advisory committees, 17 have passed resolutions disagreeing with the proposal to disband them. Appropriate replies have been or will be sent in each case.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what expenditure has been made from official funds in each of the past five years on studies into the problem of helicopter noise.

The following figures are approximate, since some of the noise research work included is relevant to aircraft other than helicopters:

				£
1966–67	…	…	…	12,000
1967–68	…	…	…	17,000
1968–69	…	…	…	14,000
1969–70	…	…	…	19,000
1970–71	…	…	…	32,000

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what part Her Majesty's Government is playing in the international examination of the problem of noise from light aircraft.

The United Kingdom is a member of the International Civil Aviation Organisation Committee on Aircraft Noise. This Committee is collecting data on noise from light aircraft, and will make recommendations in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of imports and exports between the United Kingdom and Bulgaria in each of the past five years.

Following is the information:

			Imports from Bulgaria	Exports to Bulgaria
			£ million	£ million
			c.i.f.	f.o.b.
1966	…	…	6·2	7·5
1967	…	…	6·3	6·2
1968	…	…	7·5	4·1
1969	…	…	7·5	5·1
1970	…	…	8·3	11·1

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pending his decision on the abolition of the 10·5 per cent. import duty on airships announced on 17th May, whether he will give an assurance that the provisions of anti-dumping legislation will apply.

No such decision is pending as no case has been submitted for my consideration. The anti-dumping legislation applies to all imported goods whether or not import duty is chargeable on them.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is considering the unilateral removal of those tariffs which at the moment protect the Yorkshire woollen industry from foreign competition; and whether he will bring the appropriate trade unions and employers' organisations into the discussions.

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend said in the House on 17th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the places to which package deal tours are enabled to charge less than schedule air fares by the waiving of Article 6 of the Intenational Air Transport Association Convention; and what criteria are used in permitting such exceptions.

The whole of Europe and North America, and certain places elsewhere as a result of specific applications made to the A.T.L.B. The criteria adopted include the wellbeing of all sections of the United Kingdom civil aviation industry and the travelling public.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is now in a position to announce his re-examination of special development area policy for new towns in Scotland which were excluded.

No. The matter is still being considered.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to hold discussions with the Eire Government on the effect of the subsidy paid by the Eire Government to its dead-meat plants on trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Antrim, South (Mr. Molyneaux) on 18th May, 1971.—[Vol. 817, c. 255.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now give the ratio of equivalent whole-time dental officers to schoolchildren in Wales, Scotland, and the South-East England, respectively.

The most recent official figures show the position at 31st December, 1969 for England and Wales, and at 31st July, 1970 for Scotland. The ratios are:

Wales	1:6,210
Scotland	1:3,960
South-East England (excluding the Metropolitan Area)	1:5,580

These ratios exclude maternity and child welfare dental work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme concerning local government reorganisation; and what reply he has sent.

The Borough Council wrote to the Department recently. I am sending the hon. Member copies of the Council's letter and of the Department's reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has agreed that the new top-tier authorities shall issue plans as to how the second tiers should be formed, as has been done by the county of Devon.

No. The new county councils will not come into existence until they have been elected in the spring of 1973, but as is indicated in the White Paper the proposed pattern of new districts will be debated in Parliament before they become effective towards the end of 1972. In the meantime, my right hon. Friend has stressed the importance of all existing local authorities making known their views on the new district boundaries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated expenditure on motorways during 1971–72; how many miles of road this covers; and when he expects the present motorway programme to be completed.

My right hon. Friend plans to spend some£137 million this financial year on building trunk road motorways in England. This sum will include residual payments on motorways already open and certain payments for land acquisition and the preparation of schemes starting after 1971–72; but most of the expenditure will be on the 266 miles of motorway under construction as as 30th April this year and the further 100 miles or so which it is planned to start during the rest of this financial year. The first 1,000 miles of motorway in England and Wales will be completed by about the end of 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular to local authorities giving guidance on the exercise of powers under Sections 108 and 109 of the Highways Act, 1959, with special reference to unfair discrimination against users of motor cycles.

No. I consider that the procedure laid down in the Act is sufficient safeguard against unfair discrimination.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has now received all the financial and technical information from the Humber Bridge Board that is needed by him, before he makes his final decision regarding the starting date in 1972 for building the Humber Bridge; and if he will announce this date in the near future, to allay public concern upon Humberside.

I am considering the information provided by the Board and will give a decision as soon as possible. I am conscious of the concern felt locally, but the matter is not simple and I cannot commit myself to asking no further questions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now make a further statement on the implementation of Sectiton 21 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.

The extensive consultations on the regulations necessary to give effect to Section 21 are almost complete, and my right hon. Friend expects to lay them soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by how much cement prices have risen in the last 12 months; and whether he will make a statement.

:£1·99 per metric ton. The Cement Makers' Federation announced at the end of last month an increase of£1·40 per ton from 10th May. The present gross realised price (the average of all delivered prices) is£7·86 a tonne, and this increase is therefore about 18 per cent.The Cement Maker's Federation has given an unconditional undertaking that there will be no further increase in the price of Portland Cement for 12 months.In making the recent increase the Federation had two aims: the first to restore the return on capital approximately to 10 per cent. considered by the Restrictive Practices Court as a reasonable rate in cement manufacture; the second to hold that price for a year ahead.The effect on construction costs of the latest rise in cement prices will be an increase of about 1 per cent. on material costs or roughly ½ per cent. on total building costs. These are average and the percentage will vary with different types of work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when a decision will be announced about 4, Marina Court Avenue, Bexhill-on-Sea, as a result of the inquiry held on 1st April, 1971.

Shortly.